History Degree in Oklahoma City, OK — Salary & ROI 2026
History degree analysis for Oklahoma City, OK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
9.6 yrs
in Oklahoma City
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
History in Oklahoma City, OK Overview
Oklahoma City is one of Oklahoma's top college towns, with 37 institutions and a student population of 35,923. Public tuition averages $7,756/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Although national enrollment in History has been declining, graduates with skills in Research and Writing remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Oklahoma City is approximately $42,680.
Category
Humanities
Local Colleges
37
Public Tuition
$7,756/yr
Private Tuition
$31,115/yr
Room & Board
$13,112/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,650/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
65%
History Salary in Oklahoma City (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Oklahoma City's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average History salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Oklahoma City adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
History ROI Calculator for Oklahoma City
Estimate your return on investment for a History degree using local Oklahoma City tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,756 | Private avg: $31,115
Oklahoma City avg aid: $12,650/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$83,472
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$8,730
vs HS diploma in Oklahoma City
ROI Payback Period
9.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Oklahoma City
$110,528
Lifetime earnings premium ($194,000) minus total education cost ($83,472)
Student Loan Payoff for History in Oklahoma City
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Oklahoma City for History
University of Central Oklahoma
public
$7,756/yr
$31,024 total
Oklahoma City University
private
$35,200/yr
$140,800 total
Oklahoma Christian University
private
$27,030/yr
$108,120 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Oklahoma City Community College
$3,870/yr
Top Employers for History in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City offers opportunities in Publishing, Non-profits, Education for History graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Oklahoma City Hiring Sectors for Humanities
Publishing
Non-profits
Education
Media companies
Government
Common History Job Titles
History in Nearby Oklahoma Cities
Tulsa, OK
$37K starting · COL 84
15 colleges
Norman, OK
$38K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
Broken Arrow, OK
$40K starting · COL 91.8
5 colleges
Edmond, OK
$42K starting · COL 95.2
4 colleges
Lawton, OK
$36K starting · COL 82.5
4 colleges
Moore, OK
$39K starting · COL 89.3
3 colleges
Midwest City, OK
$40K starting · COL 91.1
3 colleges
Stillwater, OK
$38K starting · COL 87.3
3 colleges
Other Humanities Majors in Oklahoma City
Chinese Studies
$53K starting · 4 yr ROI
Linguistics
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Philosophy
$43K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Foreign Languages & Literatures
$49K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
English
$41K starting · 7 yr ROI
Classical Studies
$44K starting · 6 yr ROI
Classics
$49K starting · 8 yr ROI
Africana Studies
$41K starting · 5 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate History degree outcomes in Oklahoma City, OK: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for History programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Oklahoma.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Oklahoma City using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for History graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — History career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for History grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Oklahoma City Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Oklahoma students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Oklahoma programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "oklahoma higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
History Degree in Oklahoma City — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare History ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Oklahoma City.