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History at Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,461/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 1.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #248 of 389 History programs

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 $467K $469K $445K
Earnings Multiple 1.7x 1.7x 1.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$271,220
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$152,728
44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,461 at Vassar College come in 19% above the national median of $32,281 for History programs.

An earnings multiple of 1.7x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $38,461 far exceeding the $19,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #248 out of 389 programs, Vassar College's financial outcomes for History trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Vassar College

Vassar College accepts 18% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, a compact campus enrolling 2,430 students in Poughkeepsie, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $152,728 over four years — 44% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Vassar College →

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

Compare this program → View all 389 schools offering History →

History at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($61,127) Duke University ($60,750) University of Houston-Clear Lake ($57,239) Amherst College ($56,444) Yale University ($54,700) Columbia University in the City of New York ($53,828) Harvard University ($53,468) Northwestern University ($50,161)

Other Majors at Vassar College

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($80,037) Economics ($79,845) Mathematics ($52,085) Political Science and Government ($48,679) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($45,599) Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($41,752) Urban Studies/Affairs ($39,410) Biology, General ($37,802)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare History trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Vassar College's History program score?
This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for History. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →