History at Kean University

Union, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,934/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #106 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 $555K $549K $507K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.3x 10.2x 9.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.5x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,704
Out-of-state: $84,304 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$48,672
9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,158
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,308
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,934 at Kean University come in 8% above the national median of $32,281 for History programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI History programs nationally.

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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,158 represents roughly 8 months of the $34,934 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #106 of 389 History programs, Kean University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $55,308 show a 58% jump from the $34,934 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Kean University

Kean University accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 10,842 students in Union, NJ. With 46% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Kean 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 Kean University

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at Kean University?
A score of 46/100 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 $506,590 in decade earnings vs $555,053 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →