History at Brigham Young University

BYU's History program delivers something rare: humanities graduates with consistently low debt and above-average earnings. That $15,000 median debt puts graduates in the 95th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of history programs nationwide leave students with heavier loan burdens. The 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than five months of their first-year salary, making this one of the more financially manageable liberal arts degrees you'll find.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story. Starting at $38,643, graduates see their income jump 42% to nearly $55,000 by year four—substantially outpacing both the national median ($31,220) and Utah's median ($31,768) for history majors. Within Utah, this program actually outperforms what University of Utah history graduates earn, despite similar rankings. The 85th percentile national standing confirms this isn't just a local phenomenon; these graduates compete well nationally.

The combination of BYU's low tuition structure (which explains that minimal debt) and solid career outcomes creates an unusually favorable value proposition for a history degree. While humanities majors always face income uncertainty compared to professional fields, this program's debt load is low enough that graduates have genuine financial flexibility—whether they pursue graduate school, teaching, or pivot to other careers. For families concerned about liberal arts debt, this represents the better end of the spectrum.