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History at University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $48,555/yr (50% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

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

ROI 2.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #19 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	$758K	$733K	$648K
Earnings Multiple	2.9x	2.8x	2.5x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	54	54	49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$264,416

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$124,916

53% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$10,000

2.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$87,454

80% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Pennsylvania History graduates command $48,555/yr out of the gate, well above the $32,281 national median. That 50% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The financial case is thin at 2.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $10,000 in median debt clears quickly against $48,555 in annual earnings.

At #19 of 389 nationally, this is a top-5% History program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $87,454 show a 80% jump from the $48,555 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Pennsylvania

Only 6% of applicants gain admission to University of Pennsylvania, reflecting elite selectivity, enrolling 10,768 students in Philadelphia, PA. The average net cost of $124,916 over four years represents a 53% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Pennsylvania →

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

Compare History

Other Majors at University of Pennsylvania

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at University of Pennsylvania?

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 $647,953 in decade earnings vs $758,439 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Pennsylvania's History program stand out?

Ranked #19 of 389 programs nationally, University of Pennsylvania lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Is University of Pennsylvania a hidden gem for History?

After financial aid, the average student pays $124,916 over four years — 53% below the $264,416 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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