History at Amherst College

Amherst's History graduates earn $56,444 in their first year—well above Harvard's $53,468 and dramatically exceeding the state median of $34,059. These are actual earnings outcomes for this program, though the debt figure of $25,120 is estimated from comparable Massachusetts liberal arts colleges. That debt load translates to a 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary—a manageable starting point by any measure.

The earnings trajectory here is striking: graduates see their income more than double to $114,276 by year four, a 103% jump that suggests strong career momentum. This growth pattern aligns with what you'd expect from Amherst's highly selective profile (10% admission rate, 1494 average SAT) and the network effects of an elite liberal arts education. While we can't know with certainty what drove this specific cohort's success—graduate school, finance pivots, consulting paths—the outcomes speak to real earning power that extends well beyond typical history program results.

For parents weighing the investment, the combination of top-tier earnings and modest estimated debt creates room for flexibility after graduation. Whether your child pursues graduate school, takes a lower-paying public sector role, or enters a high-earning field, they're unlikely to be constrained by debt obligations. The program delivers outcomes that justify the investment, though that debt estimate carries some uncertainty given the small sample size.