History at Ball State University

Ball State's History program starts graduates at $28,444—about 25% below what history majors earn at other Indiana schools. That's a significant gap in a state where the median history graduate starts near $35,500. Even compared to the national picture, these graduates rank in just the 30th percentile. The debt load of $21,750 is reasonable for what you're borrowing, but when earnings lag this far behind, the ratio matters less than the absolute earning power.

The encouraging news is the 41% earnings jump to $40,023 by year four, which closes much of that initial gap and actually exceeds most Indiana programs at that point. This trajectory suggests Ball State history graduates find their footing after those first lean years, possibly through graduate school or career transitions that leverage the degree differently than immediate post-graduation jobs.

For parents, the question is whether your student can weather those first few years financially. Starting nearly $7,000 below the Indiana median means living with roommates, delaying major purchases, and possibly requiring family support during that initial period. If your child is genuinely passionate about history and has a plan for graduate school or a specific career path where the degree serves as a foundation rather than a direct credential, the later earnings growth makes this workable. But if they're uncertain about their direction, programs like Indiana-Bloomington offer stronger starting positions without dramatically different debt levels.