Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $60,750 put Duke University's History program 88% above the national median of $32,281 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
At 2.6x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.
The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some History career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $60,750 far exceeding the $13,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Duke University ranks #9 among 389 History programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 41% earnings increase from $60,750 to $85,818 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.