History at Colorado Christian University

A $26,000 debt load for a bachelor's degree in history is substantial when first-year earnings from similar Colorado programs hover around $37,000. That 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would need to devote roughly 70% of their first year's salary to eliminate the debt in twelve months—or more realistically, face several years of monthly payments that could constrain other financial decisions. History programs across Colorado show considerable variation in outcomes, with Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates earning nearly $43,000 compared to the state median of $37,000, suggesting that program selection matters significantly in this field.

What's challenging here is that we're working entirely with estimates—both the earnings and debt figures come from comparable programs rather than Colorado Christian's actual graduate outcomes. Similar history programs in Colorado typically produce these numbers, but your student's individual experience could differ based on factors like internship opportunities, career services quality, and the school's specific alumni network. The national benchmark of $31,000 suggests Colorado programs generally outperform the typical history degree, which provides some reassurance.

The practical question is whether a history degree at this debt level opens enough career doors to justify the investment. If your student plans to pursue graduate school, teaching credentials, or competitive fields like museum work or archives, factor in those additional costs and timeline considerations before committing.