History at Boston College

Boston College history graduates earn significantly more than most history majors nationwide—$41,341 in year one lands this program in the 95th percentile nationally. But within Massachusetts, where several strong liberal arts colleges compete for students, BC sits closer to the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile. For context, UMass Boston's history graduates actually out-earn BC's by over $5,000 in that first year, while elite liberal arts schools like Amherst and Harvard maintain a substantial lead.

The real appeal here is the trajectory paired with relatively manageable debt. Earnings jump 34% by year four, reaching $55,258, while graduates leave with just $19,000 in debt—well below both state and national medians. That 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio means the typical graduate's debt equals less than half their first-year salary, creating breathing room that many history majors at other schools don't enjoy. BC's highly selective admissions (16% acceptance rate) and strong alumni network likely fuel this earnings growth.

For families paying in-state tuition at a Massachusetts public university, BC's premium may be harder to justify based on early earnings alone. But for out-of-state families or those prioritizing BC's broader institutional reputation, the combination of strong earnings growth and moderate debt makes this one of the more financially sound humanities programs you'll find.