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History at Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,619/yr (-8% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

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

ROI 11.3x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #261 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	$494K	$494K	$464K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.3x	11.3x	10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.7x	5.7x	5.4x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	37	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,584

Out-of-state: $85,920 (5.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$28,672

34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,484

9.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,967

52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,619 track close to the $32,281 national median for History programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.3x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,484 represents roughly 10 months of the $29,619 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #261 of 389 History programs, Northern Kentucky University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $44,967 show a 52% jump from the $29,619 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 8,065 students in Highland Heights, KY. The average net cost of $28,672 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at Northern Kentucky University?

A score of 37/100 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 $464,174 in decade earnings vs $494,028 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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