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History at University of California-Merced

Merced, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
32
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,103/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 7.2x earnings multiple (2.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #355 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 $397K $406K $396K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.0x 7.2x 7.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.2x 2.3x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 32 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,668
Out-of-state: $179,776 (2.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,976
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,455
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$42,305
62% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Merced's History graduates start at $26,103/yr, trailing the $32,281 national average by 19%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 7.2x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $15,455 debt-to-$26,103 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #355 out of 389 programs, University of California-Merced's financial outcomes for History trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of California-Merced

Admission to University of California-Merced is competitive, with 39% of applicants accepted, with a mid-sized student body of 8,372 in Merced, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 59% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

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

Compare this program → View all 389 schools offering History →

History at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($61,127) Duke University ($60,750) University of Houston-Clear Lake ($57,239) Amherst College ($56,444) Yale University ($54,700) Columbia University in the City of New York ($53,828) Harvard University ($53,468) Northwestern University ($50,161)

Other Majors at University of California-Merced

Mechanical Engineering ($67,096) Computer Engineering ($58,835) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($57,223) Economics ($51,212) Chemistry ($50,944) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($47,028) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,378) Applied Mathematics ($39,138)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare History trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does University of California-Merced's History program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for History. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is History to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' History careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are History earnings lower at University of California-Merced?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Merced may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →