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

Program Analysis

A Vassar History degree, from a highly selective liberal arts institution, signals exceptional critical thinking, research, and communication abilities. Your strong earning potential reflects how employers across diverse sectors—from management and law to non-profits and education—value these foundational skills, often beyond traditional history roles. Vassar’s rigorous curriculum and robust alumni network, particularly accessible in the Northeast corridor, provide a significant advantage in translating your academic strengths into professional success. While the "high AI risk" for the *major* might seem concerning, your education emphasizes human-centric analysis and complex problem-solving, skills that remain irreplaceable. To maximize your career trajectory, actively seek internships that apply your analytical talents to real-world business, policy, or advocacy challenges, and strategically leverage your alumni connections.

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

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

History at Other Schools

Other Majors at Vassar College

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 →