History at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,533/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 12.6x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #183 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 $611K $600K $546K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.8x 12.6x 11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.6x 4.5x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,600
Out-of-state: $132,800 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,600
-86% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,568
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,524
121% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $25,533 per year, History graduates from The University of Alabama earn below the $32,281 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.6x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,568 represents roughly 10 months of the $25,533 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #183 of 389 History programs, The University of Alabama scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $56,524 show a 121% jump from the $25,533 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About The University of Alabama

With 76% of applicants admitted, The University of Alabama prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 32,323 in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

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 The University of Alabama

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 The University of Alabama?
A score of 41/100 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 $545,525 in decade earnings vs $611,071 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with History from The University of Alabama?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →