History at California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,059/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 19.3x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #57 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 $550K $545K $503K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.5x 19.3x 17.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.2x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,220
Out-of-state: $75,740 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,104
-60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,973
71% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-East Bay's History program produces graduates earning $31,059/yr — within striking distance of the $32,281 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.3x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $31,059 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #57 of 389 nationally, this is a top-5% History program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $52,973 show a 71% jump from the $31,059 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-East Bay

A 97% acceptance rate means California State University-East Bay is accessible to most applicants, serving 10,422 students in Hayward, CA. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-East Bay →

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 State University-East Bay

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 State University-East Bay?
A score of 49/100 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 $503,360 in decade earnings vs $550,407 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-East Bay's History program stand out?
Ranked #57 of 389 programs nationally, California State University-East Bay 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 →