History at Baylor University

That $20,391 first-year salary should catch any parent's attention—it ranks in just the 10th percentile among Texas history programs, well below the state median of $34,269. While earnings nearly double by year four to almost $40,000, that's still playing catch-up from an unusually low starting point. The $24,625 in debt looks modest on paper, but when you're earning barely above minimum wage that first year, even moderate debt becomes a burden. Compare this to UT-Arlington history grads earning $44,806 or Texas A&M grads at $42,899—both public universities with lower tuition costs and significantly stronger outcomes.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing dramatically year to year, but the pattern is troubling enough to warrant serious questions. At a school where only 13% of students receive Pell grants and the average SAT is 1313, you'd expect employment networks and career support to produce better initial outcomes. The dramatic earnings growth suggests graduates eventually find their footing, but that first year of financial struggle matters—it's when loan payments begin and when financial stress can derail young adults.

If your child is set on history at a private Texas university, push Baylor's career services hard on what support they provide for immediate post-graduation employment. Otherwise, the state's flagship publics offer stronger track records at lower cost.