History at William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,595/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 6.5x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #160 of 389 History programs Top 50%

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 $664K $647K $582K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 6.6x 6.5x 5.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.3x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$100,160
Out-of-state: $197,648 (3.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$90,116
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,422
110% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,595/yr, roughly in line with the $32,281 national median for History. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.5x 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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $31,595 far exceeding the $15,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #160 of 389 History programs, William & Mary scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $66,422 show a 110% jump from the $31,595 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About William & Mary

William & Mary accepts 33% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a mid-sized student body of 6,949 in Williamsburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at William & Mary →

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 William & Mary

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 William & Mary?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for History. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $582,174 in decade earnings vs $663,801 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →