History at University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,824/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 9.6x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #217 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 $552K $546K $504K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.7x 9.6x 8.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.1x 3.0x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,680
Out-of-state: $179,788 (3.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,828
3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,317
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,531
76% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,824/yr, roughly in line with the $32,281 national median for History. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 9.6x 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 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,317 debt-to-$29,824 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #217 out of 389 programs, University of California-Riverside's financial outcomes for History trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,824 to $52,531 over five years (76% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Riverside

A 63% admission rate makes University of California-Riverside accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with 22,644 students enrolled in Riverside, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

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-Riverside

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

How does University of California-Riverside's History program score?
This program scores 39/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →