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History at California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,031/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 18.5x earnings multiple (6.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #16 of 389 History programs Top 5%

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 $528K $525K $488K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.6x 18.5x 17.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 6.9x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,380
Out-of-state: $75,900 (6.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$30,396
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,390
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,031/yr, edging above the $32,281 national average for History — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

With a 18.5x 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 $15,000 in median debt against $37,031 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

California State University-Northridge ranks #16 among 389 History programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 41% earnings increase from $37,031 to $52,390 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State University-Northridge

California State University-Northridge has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 32,357 students enrolled in Northridge, CA. 56% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

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

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)

Compare History

California State University-Northridge vs Dartmouth College → California State University-Northridge vs Duke University → California State University-Northridge vs University of Houston-Clear Lake → California State University-Northridge vs Amherst College → California State University-Northridge vs Harvard University →

Other Majors at California State University-Northridge

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($106,780) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($100,724) Construction Engineering Technologies ($79,352) Public Administration ($76,049) Computer Engineering ($75,692) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($75,207) Mechanical Engineering ($71,359) Accounting and Related Services ($68,904)

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 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at California State University-Northridge?
At 54/100, California State University-Northridge's History program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study History at California State University-Northridge?
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-Northridge one of the best schools for History?
Among 389 History programs, California State University-Northridge's #16 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →