History at Bethany Lutheran College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 suggests manageable borrowing for Bethany Lutheran's history program, though both figures come from peer institutions rather than tracked graduates from this specific school. Similar Minnesota history programs produce first-year earnings around $39,000—well above the $31,000 national median—while typical debt loads for private Lutheran colleges hover near $26,000. That puts Bethany's estimated outcomes in a relatively favorable position compared to history programs elsewhere, though the small size that triggers data suppression means we're essentially extrapolating from larger state schools.

The bigger question is whether $39,000 represents a sustainable trajectory. History majors often pursue careers in education, nonprofits, or government where earnings grow slowly, making that initial debt burden feel heavier over time. Bethany's 51% admission rate and modest Pell enrollment (22%) suggest a relatively traditional student body, but without actual graduate outcomes, there's no way to know if this particular program sends students toward stable employment or graduate school—two very different financial paths.

Given the uncertainty, focus on what Bethany offers beyond the degree itself: career services strength, internship networks in the Twin Cities area, and alumni connections in fields where history graduates actually land. The estimated numbers aren't alarming, but they're essentially placeholders until this program produces enough graduates for the DOE to track.