History Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of past events, civilizations, and their impact on the modern world.
Starting Salary
$44K
median
Mid-Career
$62K
salary
ROI Payback
7.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4.8%
rate
History Overview
Study of past events, civilizations, and their impact on the modern world.
Category
Humanities
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
62%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
40%
Lifetime Premium
$200K
Female Graduates
48%
History Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$16,200
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$16,200
after scholarships
ROI Payback
2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$183,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($200,000) minus net degree cost ($16,200)
History Salary Progression
Common History Careers
Historian
Archivist
Museum Curator
Teacher
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for History
#1
Harvard
#2
Yale
#3
Princeton
#4
Stanford
#5
University of Chicago
Related Majors
History Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
History Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for history programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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