Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $30,710 track close to the $32,281 national median for History programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
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 12% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 11 months of the $30,710 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #358 of 389 History programs, Hobart William Smith Colleges falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $65,922 show a 115% jump from the $30,710 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.