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History at University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,849/yr (-11% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

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

ROI 10.7x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #127 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	$649K	$634K	$572K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.9x	10.7x	9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.6x	3.5x	3.1x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	44	44	43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$59,400

Out-of-state: $182,508 (3.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,916

-1% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,034

5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$62,873

118% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $28,849/yr, History graduates from University of California-Berkeley land near the $32,281 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 10.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some History career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $13,034 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #127 ranking among 389 History programs places University of California-Berkeley in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $28,849-to-$62,873 earnings arc over five years reflects a 118% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-Berkeley

With just 12% of applicants admitted, University of California-Berkeley ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with 33,073 students enrolled in Berkeley, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Berkeley →

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 California-Berkeley

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 does a 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at University of California-Berkeley?

At 44/100, 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 University of California-Berkeley?

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.

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