History at Arizona State University Digital Immersion

ASU's digital history program commands a premium price—graduates carry $28,513 in debt compared to the $24,000 national median—but the earnings justify it. One year out, graduates earn $39,283, putting them in the 88th percentile nationally and outpacing the national median for history majors by more than $8,000. That's a substantial advantage in a field where many programs leave graduates struggling to repay loans.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73 means students borrow less than they'll earn in their first year—a healthy starting point. Earnings climb to $42,745 by year four, showing 9% growth and confirming this isn't just an initial advantage. Among Arizona's seven history programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, essentially matching the state median. Grand Canyon edges ahead slightly at $43,596, but ASU's digital immersion format delivers comparable outcomes.

For parents weighing a history degree's practicality, this program makes the case that liberal arts can lead to stable employment without crippling debt. The combination of above-average starting pay and manageable borrowing means graduates enter the job market with genuine financial flexibility. If your child is committed to studying history, this represents one of the stronger bets nationally—a program that proves affordable and delivers results that most humanities programs simply don't match.