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History at Smith College

Northampton, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $26,131/yr (-19% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

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

ROI 2.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #381 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	$626K	$613K	$556K
Earnings Multiple	2.5x	2.5x	2.3x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	25	25	25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$246,272

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$104,724

57% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,000

8.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$58,527

124% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $26,131 per year, History graduates from Smith College earn below the $32,281 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

At 2.5x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some History career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $19,000 against $26,131/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #381 ranking among 389 History programs places Smith College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $26,131-to-$58,527 earnings arc over five years reflects a 124% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Smith College

A 20% acceptance rate puts Smith College in competitive admissions territory, a smaller institution with 2,501 students in Northampton, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $104,724 — 57% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Smith College →

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 Smith College

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 does a 25/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at Smith College?

At 25/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring History programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study History at Smith College?

The 44% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Smith College a good choice for History despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Smith College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

What do students actually pay for History at Smith College?

The 57% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $246,272. At a net cost of $104,724, the earnings multiple improves substantially.

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