Entry Level Salary
$36,652
Median Salary
$86,082
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
27.5%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,443,280
Entry (Early)
$36,652
Median (Prime)
$86,082
High (Prime)
$94,391
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-125k
+293k
+360k
$25k / yr
-215k
+203k
+270k
$50k / yr
-305k
+113k
+180k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
26
26
$25k / yr
Never
32
30
$50k / yr
Never
40
36
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-198%
186%
248%
$50k / yr
-140%
52%
83%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate47.3%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
9.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,975
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$149,448|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Elementary and middle school teachers
5.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,170|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Secondary school teachers
4.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$47,195
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$68,656|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Management occupations
4.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$54,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$106,190|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Postsecondary teachers
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$19,129
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$74,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Education and childcare administrators
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,650
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,491|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Top executives
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$70,793
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$191,293|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,644
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$59,652|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Management analysts
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$85,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$112,550|$101,190
openings
98,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.8%
Customer service representatives
1.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$27,498
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,823|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| historic preservation and conservation. | Bachelor's Degree | 10 | $44,823 - $57,635 |
| historic preservation and conservation. | Master's Degree | 33 | $45,624 - $71,518 |
| history. | Undergrad Certificate | 11 | Data N/A |
| history. | Associate's Degree | 155 | $32,363 - $50,008 |
| history. | Bachelor's Degree | 1214 | $28,802 - $136,403 |
| history. | Post-bacc Certificate | 9 | Data N/A |
| history. | Master's Degree | 325 | $44,130 - $72,306 |
| history. | Doctoral Degree | 148 | $70,118 - $94,132 |
| history. | Graduate Certificate | 14 | $61,512 - $61,512 |
| history. | Level 99 | 9 | Data N/A |
| holocaust and related studies. | Bachelor's Degree | 2 | Data N/A |
| medieval and renaissance studies. | Bachelor's Degree | 19 | Data N/A |
| medieval and renaissance studies. | Master's Degree | 3 | Data N/A |