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History at California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,862/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 18.7x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #168 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 $511K $509K $476K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.7x 18.7x 17.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.8x 6.8x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,252
Out-of-state: $74,792 (6.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$16,452
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,777
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,986
71% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Los Angeles's History graduates start at $26,862/yr, trailing the $32,281 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 18.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some History career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $14,777 against $26,862/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #168 ranking among 389 History programs places California State University-Los Angeles in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $26,862-to-$45,986 earnings arc over five years reflects a 71% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Los Angeles

A 92% acceptance rate means California State University-Los Angeles is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 21,478 students in Los Angeles, CA. With 66% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $16,452 over four years — 40% below sticker price.

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

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 University-Los Angeles

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($98,811) Civil Engineering ($73,178) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($63,981) Mechanical Engineering ($55,405) Food Science and Technology ($52,806) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($50,428) Fire Protection ($48,289) Air Transportation ($46,267)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare History trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 42/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at California State University-Los Angeles?
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-Los Angeles?
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-Los Angeles a good choice for History despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Los Angeles'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 →