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History at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,728/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 20.3x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #82 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 $617K $605K $550K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.7x 20.3x 18.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 7.8x 7.1x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 47 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,756
Out-of-state: $77,276 (7.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$46,320
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,294
123% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,728 place California State Polytechnic University-Pomona below the $32,281 national median for History — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 20.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some History career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $15,000 against $25,728/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ranks #82 among 389 History programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $25,728-to-$57,294 earnings arc over five years reflects a 123% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona accepts 74% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 24,271 students in Pomona, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona →

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 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Construction Engineering Technologies ($87,960) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,827) Manufacturing Engineering ($79,549) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($78,320) Civil Engineering ($75,758) Industrial Engineering ($75,110) Mechanical Engineering ($75,040) Computer Engineering ($70,768)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare History trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring History programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study History at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
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.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona one of the best schools for History?
Among 389 History programs, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's #82 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona a good choice for History despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →