History at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,540/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 13.1x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #81 of 389 History programs Top 25%

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 $591K $582K $532K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.3x 13.1x 12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 4.7x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,300
Out-of-state: $123,980 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,496
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,833
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,207
85% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's History program produces graduates earning $31,540/yr — within striking distance of the $32,281 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI History programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in History's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $15,833 represents roughly 6 months of the $31,540 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #81 of 389 nationally, this is a top-5% History program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $58,207 show a 85% jump from the $31,540 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Admission to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is competitive, with 30% of applicants accepted, serving a student body of 21,521 in San Luis Obispo, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →

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 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for History. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace History careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $531,737 in decade earnings vs $591,235 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's History program stand out?
Ranked #81 of 389 programs nationally, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →