History at Ashford University

Ashford's history graduates earn substantially more than their peers—nearly $18,000 above California's median for history majors and $15,000 above the national average. These graduates out-earn those from USC, UCLA, and virtually every other California history program, placing in the 95th percentile both statewide and nationally. For a for-profit institution serving a significant population of Pell grant students, these outcomes are remarkable.

The tradeoff comes in debt load. At $40,750, graduates carry more than double what typical California history majors owe ($16,304). However, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.87, this debt remains manageable—graduates earn enough to cover their full debt burden within the first year if they chose to prioritize repayment. The slight earnings dip from year one to year four ($46,581 to $45,832) is worth monitoring, though the starting salary is strong enough to absorb this modest decline.

If your child is committed to studying history and Ashford's online format fits their needs, the earnings premium over other California programs—including flagship state schools—makes this an intriguing option despite the higher debt. The graduates from this program clearly find better-paying opportunities than most history majors, though understanding what drives that advantage (perhaps specific career services or alumni networks) would strengthen your confidence in this choice.