History at College of Saint Benedict

History degrees don't command high starting salaries anywhere, but peer programs in Minnesota suggest this one positions graduates reasonably well. The estimated $39,186 first-year earnings—based on three comparable Minnesota programs—matches the state median for history majors and exceeds the national benchmark of $31,220 by about 25%. That margin matters when you're starting from a modest baseline.

The estimated debt load of roughly $26,000 creates a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about eight months of their first-year salary. This tracks closely with what similar private liberal arts colleges report nationally. For context, Minnesota's public universities produce history grads with similar earnings at comparable debt levels, suggesting the private school premium here isn't creating significant financial burden.

The practical question is whether your child has a clear plan for leveraging a history degree—teaching, law school, graduate work, or roles in communications and research that value analytical skills. Similar programs show this credential opens doors, but typically requires strategic career planning rather than providing an obvious occupational path. If your student is intellectually committed to the humanities and realistic about career development, the debt picture suggests this won't be a crushing financial burden even in a modestly-paying early career.