History at Boise State University

Boise State's History program produces graduates who earn slightly above the national median—$34,568 in the first year versus $31,220 nationally—though with minimal growth over time. More importantly, the debt load here is notably lighter than at most history programs nationwide: at $28,050, it falls in the 5th percentile, meaning 95% of comparable programs leave students with more debt. That's a meaningful advantage for a humanities degree where earnings expectations are modest.

The program performs solidly within Idaho, ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's seven history programs. Earnings essentially flatline between years one and four, growing just 4%, which means graduates shouldn't count on significant salary progression in their early careers. However, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81, graduates owe less than one year's salary—manageable for a liberal arts degree if students understand they're likely trading higher income potential for skills in research, writing, and critical thinking that can open doors to teaching, public history, law school, or nonprofit work.

For families committed to a history degree, this represents a relatively low-risk option. The controlled debt burden matters more here than earnings upside, since history majors nationwide face similar earning trajectories. Just ensure your student has a realistic plan for leveraging the degree—whether that's graduate school, secondary education certification, or pivoting into communications or public service roles where liberal arts training holds value.