History at Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
53
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,543/yr (32% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 7.1x earnings multiple (2.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #26 of 389 History programs Top 10%

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 $589K $580K $530K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.2x 7.1x 6.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.9x 2.8x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 53 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$81,936
Out-of-state: $204,744 (2.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,396
8% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,892
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Virginia Military Institute History graduates command $42,543/yr out of the gate, well above the $32,281 national median. That 32% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

A 7.1x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some History career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,500 in median debt clears quickly against $42,543 in annual earnings.

At #26 of 389 programs, this History program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 48% earnings increase from $42,543 to $62,892 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Virginia Military Institute

A 82% acceptance rate means Virginia Military Institute is accessible to most applicants, with a smaller student body of 1,560 in Lexington, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Military Institute →

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 Virginia Military Institute

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 53/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at Virginia Military Institute?
At 53/100, Virginia Military Institute's History program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study History at Virginia Military Institute?
The 44% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →