History at Bethel University

A history degree from Bethel carries an estimated $27,000 in debt—higher than both the state median ($23,754) and the national benchmark ($24,000) for the field. Based on comparable programs across Indiana, first-year earnings of around $35,500 would put this program roughly at the state median, though this still translates to a debt load equal to 76% of that first year's income. For context, Indiana's top history programs—Notre Dame, Wabash College, and University of Southern Indiana—report actual first-year earnings ranging from $39,000 to $41,000, suggesting some room between where peer programs place graduates and where this one might land.

The practical challenge here is straightforward: a history bachelor's typically doesn't command high starting salaries, and the estimated debt burden at Bethel sits on the higher end for the field. The 99% admission rate and below-average SAT scores (1073) suggest this isn't a selective environment where the institutional reputation itself might offset weaker early earnings. Parents should recognize they're looking at estimates drawn from similar Indiana programs, not actual outcomes tracked for Bethel's history graduates specifically.

If your child is set on history, pressing Bethel's career services for concrete placement data—where recent graduates actually landed and what they earned—becomes essential. Without that transparency, you're making a $27,000 bet on outcomes that may or may not match the state's modest benchmarks.