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History at Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $46,856/yr (45% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)

ROI 2.9x earnings multiple

Ranked #20 of 389 History programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to History graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$772K	$745K	$658K
Earnings Multiple	3.0x	2.9x	2.6x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	54	54	49

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$255,784

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$76,160

70% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,514

4.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$88,187

88% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $46,856 put Vanderbilt University's History program 45% above the national median of $32,281 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

An earnings multiple of 2.9x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $46,856 far exceeding the $16,514 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #20 out of 389 programs, Vanderbilt University's History program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $46,856 to $88,187 over five years (88% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University's 6% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, with a mid-sized student body of 7,143 in Nashville, TN. The average net cost of $76,160 over four years represents a 70% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Vanderbilt University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

History teachers, postsecondary $81,500/yr

View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

History at Other Schools

Compare History

Other Majors at Vanderbilt University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Vanderbilt University's History program score?

This program scores 54/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for History graduates.

How vulnerable is History to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' History careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does Vanderbilt University rank so high for History?

The #20 ranking out of 389 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

How affordable is History at Vanderbilt University after financial aid?

Sticker price is $255,784, but the average net cost is $76,160 — a 70% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →