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History at West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $24,215/yr (-25% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

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

ROI 14.7x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #215 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	$573K	$566K	$519K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.9x	14.7x	13.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.2x	5.2x	4.7x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	40	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)

$38,592

Out-of-state: $109,440 (5.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,988

-35% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

10.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$51,634

113% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $24,215 per year, History graduates from West Virginia University earn below the $32,281 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 14.7x 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 $21,500 debt-to-$24,215 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #215 out of 389 programs, West Virginia University's financial outcomes for History trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $24,215 to $51,634 over five years (113% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About West Virginia University

With 86% of applicants admitted, West Virginia University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 17,705 students in Morgantown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia 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 West Virginia University

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

How does West Virginia University's History program score?

This program scores 40/100 — 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.

Why are History earnings lower at West Virginia University?

Lower starting pay at West Virginia University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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