History at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
50
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,874/yr (30% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #51 of 389 History programs Top 25%

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 $517K $515K $480K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.0x 9.0x 8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.2x 4.2x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 50 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,188
Out-of-state: $121,676 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,092
-3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,040
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $41,874 per year, History graduates from Wayne State University significantly outpace the $32,281 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.0x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $41,874 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #51 of 389 nationally, this is a top-5% History program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $41,874 to $52,040 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Wayne State University

With 82% of applicants admitted, Wayne State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 15,676 students in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne State University →

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 Wayne State University

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at Wayne State University?
A score of 50/100 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 $480,035 in decade earnings vs $516,848 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Wayne State University's History program stand out?
Ranked #51 of 389 programs nationally, Wayne State University lands in the top 25%. 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 →