Entry Level Salary
$38,000
Median Salary
$87,497
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
27.3%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,499,880
Entry (Early)
$38,000
Median (Prime)
$87,497
High (Prime)
$97,164
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
-113k
+306k
+384k
$25k / yr
-203k
+216k
+294k
$50k / yr
-293k
+126k
+204k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
26
25
$25k / yr
Never
31
29
$50k / yr
Never
39
35
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-187%
199%
271%
$50k / yr
-135%
58%
94%
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).
These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate47.6%
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
8.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$61,763
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$152,348|$155,120
openings
31,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.5%
Elementary and middle school teachers
5.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$46,343
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$63,000|$64,170
openings
127,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.4%
Secondary school teachers
4.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$47,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$69,670|$70,930
openings
70,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.2%
Management occupations
4.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$109,309|$126,520
openings
1,081,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.2%
Postsecondary teachers
3.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$19,558
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$77,203|$82,250
openings
123,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6%
Education and childcare administrators
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$42,874
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$92,178|$102,260
openings
44,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.1%
Top executives
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$46,322
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$194,639|$108,510
openings
305,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,660
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,763|$48,520
openings
113,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -3.7%
Management analysts
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$87,497
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$110,064|$101,860
openings
94,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +10.1%
Financial managers
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,733
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$119,026|$166,570
openings
65,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.7%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 22 to 27 (American Community Survey).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2025–2035).
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 | 7 | Data N/A |
| history. | Associate's Degree | 142 | $32,363 - $50,008 |
| history. | Bachelor's Degree | 1201 | $28,802 - $136,403 |
| history. | Post-bacc Certificate | 6 | Data N/A |
| history. | Master's Degree | 320 | $44,130 - $72,306 |
| history. | Doctoral Degree | 147 | $70,118 - $94,132 |
| history. | Graduate Certificate | 11 | $61,512 - $61,512 |
| holocaust and related studies. | Bachelor's Degree | 1 | Data N/A |
| medieval and renaissance studies. | Bachelor's Degree | 18 | Data N/A |
| medieval and renaissance studies. | Master's Degree | 3 | Data N/A |