History at Barnard College

Barnard's history graduates earn $48,000 right out of college—a remarkable outcome that places this program in the 95th percentile both nationally and among New York schools. That's 50% more than the typical history graduate in the state and substantially more than most peer institutions, trailing only Columbia among top New York colleges. With just $16,425 in median debt (well below the $24,000 national average for history programs), the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 is excellent for a humanities degree.

The small catch: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances can heavily influence these figures. The highly selective Barnard environment (8% admission rate, 1500 average SAT) certainly helps—these students likely arrive with strong networks and polish that translate into better entry-level opportunities. Still, outearning 95% of history programs nationwide isn't purely a selection effect; the school is clearly doing something right in preparing students for competitive early-career positions.

For a family weighing a prestigious liberal arts education, this represents about as good as it gets for a history degree. The combination of manageable debt and strong initial earnings suggests graduates have genuine financial flexibility after graduation, whether that means pursuing graduate school, taking lower-paying public interest work, or entering the job market with breathing room.