History (Bachelor's Degree) at United States Air Force Academy

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$36,909

Est. from CO median (8 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,750

Est. from CO median (7 programs)

Analysis

The Air Force Academy's unique service obligation makes traditional earnings comparisons nearly meaningless. While similar Colorado history programs suggest first-year earnings around $37,000 with typical debt near $24,000, Academy graduates enter active duty military service with standardized officer pay, full benefits, and zero educational debt—their tuition is fully covered in exchange for five years of service commitment.

This isn't really about whether a history degree "pays off" in conventional terms. Academy graduates receive a federally funded education worth over $400,000, including salary during their four years as cadets. The actual question is whether your child is prepared for military service, not whether this particular major produces competitive earnings. The highly selective 14% admission rate and 1362 average SAT score reflect the institution's broader mission of developing military officers, not optimizing for post-graduation salaries in civilian historical work.

If your child is committed to military service, the financial equation is unbeatable—no debt and guaranteed employment. If they're considering the Academy primarily for the free education while uncertain about the military commitment, that's a fundamental mismatch. The estimated figures here reflect civilian outcomes that simply don't apply to Academy graduates during their initial service years.

Where United States Air Force Academy Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all history bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado

History bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (15 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
United States Air Force AcademyUSAF Academy	—	$36,909*	—	$23,750*	—
Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver	$10,780	$42,785*	$37,394	$34,125*	0.80
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver	$10,017	$38,627*	$37,511	$23,750*	0.61
University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs	$9,712	$38,276*	$38,626	$21,250*	0.56
University of Colorado BoulderBoulder	$16,430	$37,044*	$39,591	$17,905*	0.48
University of DenverDenver	$59,340	$36,774*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$31,220*	—	$24,000*	0.77

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with history graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

History Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Historians

Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.

$74,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Archivists

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

$57,100/yrJobs growth:

Curators

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

$57,100/yrJobs growth:

Museum Technicians and Conservators

Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

$57,100/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in CO. Actual outcomes may vary.