History at University of Houston-Downtown

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,246/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 17.3x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #21 of 389 History programs Top 5%

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 $537K $533K $494K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.4x 17.3x 16.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.5x 7.5x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,832
Out-of-state: $71,152 (7.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,492
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,715
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $37,246 per year, History graduates from University of Houston-Downtown earn slightly above the $32,281 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.3x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $37,246 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #21 of 389 nationally, this is a top-5% History program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $37,246 to $53,715 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Houston-Downtown

With 91% of applicants admitted, University of Houston-Downtown prioritizes broad access, serving 12,812 students in Houston, TX. With 52% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Houston-Downtown →

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 Houston-Downtown

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 Houston-Downtown?
A score of 54/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the History field.
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 $494,079 in decade earnings vs $537,053 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Houston-Downtown's History program stand out?
Ranked #21 of 389 programs nationally, University of Houston-Downtown lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →