History at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
52
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,959/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 12.6x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #40 of 389 History programs Top 10%

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 $575K $567K $520K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.8x 12.6x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.5x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 52 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,820
Out-of-state: $162,412 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,712
-51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,333
62% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Wisconsin-Madison's History graduates start at $35,959/yr — above the $32,281 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 12.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,500 debt-to-$35,959 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

A #40 ranking out of 389 History programs nationally puts University of Wisconsin-Madison in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth from $35,959 to $58,333 over five years (62% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison's 43% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 35,665 in Madison, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →

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 Wisconsin-Madison

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 Wisconsin-Madison's History program score?
This program scores 52/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for History graduates.
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 →