History at University of California-San Diego

UCSD's history program starts with strikingly low first-year earnings—just $21,713, landing in the bottom 5th percentile nationally. That debut number is $10,000 below even California's state median for history programs. For a school with a 25% admission rate, that's a jarring disconnect between selectivity and immediate outcomes.

The program's saving grace is remarkable earnings growth: by year four, graduates reach $48,919, vaulting past both state and national averages. That 125% jump suggests many graduates are either pursuing advanced degrees, breaking into competitive career tracks, or both. The relatively modest debt load of $17,467 helps, too—below California's median and manageable even against those weak initial earnings. Among California history programs, UCSD ranks in the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of in-state competitors produce better immediate outcomes.

For families expecting their investment in a prestigious UC education to translate to quick career traction, this program tells a different story. The numbers point to delayed returns rather than immediate payoff, which works if your family can support a financially lean first few years—perhaps through graduate school, unpaid internships, or credential-building. If your student needs to be self-sufficient right after graduation, that first-year number becomes a serious obstacle, regardless of what happens later.