History at Clemson University

Clemson, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,199/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 8.2x earnings multiple (3.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #156 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 $515K $513K $479K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.3x 8.2x 7.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.3x 3.2x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 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)
$62,216
Out-of-state: $157,992 (3.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,448
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
6.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,184
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,199/yr, edging above the $32,281 national average for History — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.2x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 7 months of the $36,199 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #156 of 389 History programs, Clemson University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $36,199 to $50,184 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Clemson University

Clemson University admits 38% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, one of the larger campuses at 22,778 students in Clemson, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at Clemson University →

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 Clemson University

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 Clemson University?
A score of 43/100 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 $478,649 in decade earnings vs $514,854 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →