History at California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,642/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 19.9x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #184 of 389 History programs Top 50%

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 $562K $555K $511K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.1x 19.9x 18.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.4x 6.8x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,920
Out-of-state: $75,440 (7.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,920
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,497
10.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,521
124% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $21,642 per year, History graduates from California State University-Fresno earn below the $32,281 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.9x 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 $18,497 represents roughly 10 months of the $21,642 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #184 of 389 History programs, California State University-Fresno scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $48,521 show a 124% jump from the $21,642 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Fresno

With 96% of applicants admitted, California State University-Fresno prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 21,070 in Fresno, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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-Fresno

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at California State University-Fresno?
A score of 41/100 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 $511,198 in decade earnings vs $561,688 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with History from California State University-Fresno?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →