History at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,121/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 14.7x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #182 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 $522K $519K $483K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.8x 14.7x 13.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 5.9x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,328
Out-of-state: $87,456 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,908
-101% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,750
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,929
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $28,121/yr, roughly in line with the $32,281 national median for History. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.7x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,750 represents roughly 9 months of the $28,121 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #182 of 389 History programs, University of Alabama at Birmingham scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $47,929 show a 70% jump from the $28,121 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of Alabama at Birmingham accepts 88% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 12,118 students in Birmingham, AL.

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

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 University of Alabama at Birmingham

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 University of Alabama at Birmingham?
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 $483,290 in decade earnings vs $521,533 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →