What can you do with a History degree from Yale University?

First, some facts. Of the History graduates from Yale University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 21 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 53%, History graduates from Yale University have a much lower likelihood (-14%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 53%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 61% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a History graduate.

See the details:

View a random History graduate from Yale University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Law Student, Tax Division, Appellate section
U.S. Department of Justice
May 2020 - Aug 2020
The position in the Tax Division, Appellate section at the U.S. Department of Justice requires strong knowledge of legal principles and procedures, which is directly relevant to the skills acquired in law school after a Bachelor of Arts in History.

Summer Associate
Miller & Chevalier Chartered
May 2021 - Jul 2021
As a Summer Associate at Miller & Chevalier Chartered, the role demands an application of legal research and analysis skills that align with the foundational legal knowledge gained in law school.

Law Clerk, Center for Public Interest Tax Law
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Jan 2022 - May 2022
The Law Clerk position at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP involves working in public interest tax law, directly applying the legal expertise and knowledge gained from the individuals law studies and experience.

Law Clerk to Judge Albert G. Lauber
U.S. Tax Court
Aug 2022 - Present
A Law Clerk to Judge Albert G. Lauber at the U.S. Tax Court entails critical legal analysis and understanding of tax law, which are essential skills developed in law school, making this position highly relevant.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Arts
University of Cape Town
2014 - 2015

Doctor of Law - JD
Georgetown University Law Center
2019 - 2022
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a History degree from Yale University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When we look at the careers of folks who graduated with a History degree from Yale University, it seems like some common themes emerge. A significant number have gravitated toward teaching roles, particularly in education and at universities. This makes sense, as teaching not only allows graduates to share their passion for history but also often requires the strong critical thinking and analysis skills that come with a history education. Positions such as Teaching Fellow or Assistant Professor are pretty straightforward examples where history knowledge is directly applied. Others have found their way into research or journalism, which can certainly benefit from a strong historical background, as these fields often require understanding the context of events and trends to present them compellingly.

On the flip side, there are quite a few graduates who have taken paths that may not seem particularly related to history at all. Many have ended up in jobs in finance, law, marketing, and even tech, focusing on areas that don’t directly require historical knowledge. While some roles might draw on skills like critical thinking or research, they don't engage deeply with history as a field. Overall, it seems that while a number of Yale History graduates are using their degrees in truly relevant ways, a fair amount have ventured into sectors where their historical knowledge isn't the main focus. So, while a history degree opens many doors, not all paths taken reflect that original focus on history itself.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for History graduates (this is across all History graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Yale University):

What kind of career trajectories do History graduates from Yale University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career paths of History graduates from Yale University, it's clear that there's a pretty diverse range of trajectories. Right after graduation, many seem to take on educational roles, like teaching or tutoring, which makes sense given the strong communication and analytical skills honed during their studies. For example, several grads started out with positions in teaching or educational policy, suggesting that they were able to leverage their History background to impact education, especially in subjects that intersect with social studies or environmental advocacy. Others quickly pivoted towards fields like law or journalism, where critical thinking and in-depth research are crucial.

Five to ten years later, the paths really start to branch out. While some individuals moved into academia or continued climbing in the fields of law and public policy, like working for government agencies or nonprofits, others have landed in more commercial roles, such as marketing and finance. It seems that while some graduates found success in roles that relate directly to History, such as teaching or policy advocacy, others have ventured far into business or creative industries, sometimes leaving behind their History roots altogether. Overall, it's a mixed bag—some have transitioned successfully into careers that utilize their history training, while others have found themselves in jobs that, while perhaps lucrative, don’t directly relate to their degree. So, whether you see a bright future in history-related fields or go off on a completely different path seems to heavily depend on individual interests and opportunities that arise along the way. It's a testament to the versatile skill set that a History degree can provide!

How hard is a History degree from Yale University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in History at Yale is definitely challenging, but it’s not insurmountable if you're passionate about the subject. Yale has high academic standards, and their history program is rigorous, involving a lot of reading, writing, and critical thinking. You’ll dive deep into different time periods, cultures, and events, and you'll need to write some detailed essays and analyses. That said, if you enjoy storytelling and exploring the past, it can also be really rewarding. It might be a bit tougher than an average history degree elsewhere, but the supportive environment and the resources available at Yale can help you along the way. Just be prepared to put in the work, and you'll likely find it rewarding in the end!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in History.

Do History graduates from Yale University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Yale graduates, it's pretty clear that they've had a mixed bag when it comes to making money, but a lot of them seem to be landing on their feet. Those who went into finance or law, like the ones becoming associates at big firms or working in government positions, likely have pretty decent salaries, especially as they advance in their careers. On the flip side, those who went for teaching or journalism might not be raking in as much cash right off the bat—teaching positions generally pay less, while journalism can be hit or miss. So, while some of these grads appear to be doing quite well financially, especially in corporate or policy roles, others are probably still figuring it out in lower-paying sectors. In short, it’s a mixed picture, but many seem to be on the path to success!

What buzzwords do History graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in History (this is across all History graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Yale University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for History?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in History (ordered by the average relevance score of their History graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
University of Connecticut 60 10
The University of Georgia 56 11
College of Charleston 54 10
Yale University 53 21
University of North Texas 52 21
University of Virginia 50 18
University of Pittsburgh 49 12
University of California, Santa Cruz 48 13
Rutgers University 48 10
Towson University 47 10
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 46 15
Binghamton University 46 10
University of Florida 45 23
Brigham Young University 45 15
Christopher Newport University 45 12
The University of Texas at Austin 44 16
University of Houston 44 19
San Francisco State University 44 17
Texas State University 44 11
The George Washington University 44 13
University of Washington 43 17
San Jose State University 43 12
Southern New Hampshire University 42 15
James Madison University 42 18
Louisiana State University 42 12
Texas Tech University 41 15
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 41 12
Hillsdale College 40 10
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 39 10
University of South Carolina 39 11
Texas A&M University 38 23
Florida State University 37 21
University of California, Los Angeles 37 37
North Carolina State University 37 14
University of Oregon 37 11
Northern Arizona University 36 10
University of Central Florida 35 24
Old Dominion University 34 10
Davidson College 34 11
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 33 10
Columbia College 33 13
University of Michigan 31 15
University of Nebraska at Omaha 31 11
Arizona State University 30 13
George Mason University 29 14
University of Mississippi 29 10
Virginia Commonwealth University 28 10
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 26 16
University of California, Berkeley 25 16
The Citadel 24 11
The Ohio State University 23 18
University of Arizona 23 13
Georgia State University 23 11
Michigan State University 20 11
University of South Florida 18 20
Ashford University 18 11
University of Kentucky 17 12
Virginia Military Institute 14 11