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History at California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $22,407/yr (-31% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

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

ROI 16.3x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #297 of 389 History programs

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	$507K	$505K	$473K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.4x	16.3x	15.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.5x	6.4x	6.0x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	36	36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$30,956

Out-of-state: $78,476 (6.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$42,200

-36% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,847

9.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$43,090

92% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-San Marcos's History graduates start at $22,407/yr, trailing the $32,281 national average by 31%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 16.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $16,847 debt-to-$22,407 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #297 out of 389 programs, California State University-San Marcos's financial outcomes for History trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $22,407 to $43,090 over five years (92% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About California State University-San Marcos

A 96% acceptance rate means California State University-San Marcos is accessible to most applicants, serving 14,174 students in San Marcos, 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-San Marcos →

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-San Marcos

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

How does California State University-San Marcos's History program score?

This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for History. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is History to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' History careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are History earnings lower at California State University-San Marcos?

Lower starting pay at California State University-San Marcos may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →