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History at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,014/yr (-23% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)

ROI 19.2x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #167 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	$543K	$538K	$498K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.4x	19.2x	17.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.2x	7.1x	6.6x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	43	42	42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$28,032

Out-of-state: $75,552 (7.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$35,724

-27% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,804

6.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,818

95% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $25,014 per year, History graduates from California State University-Long Beach earn below the $32,281 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 19.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some History career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $13,804 against $25,014/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #167 ranking among 389 History programs places California State University-Long Beach in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $25,014-to-$48,818 earnings arc over five years reflects a 95% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Long Beach

California State University-Long Beach accepts 47% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 34,131 students enrolled in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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-Long Beach

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 does a 42/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at California State University-Long Beach?

At 42/100, 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 University-Long Beach?

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 University-Long Beach a good choice for History despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Long Beach'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 →