History at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth history graduates earn nearly double what typical history majors make nationally—$61,127 versus $31,220—and their earnings jump another 34% by year four. Among New Hampshire's dozen history programs, this ranks at the very top, dramatically outpacing even Southern New Hampshire University's $37,734. That premium reflects Dartmouth's Ivy League network and the career flexibility that comes with attending a highly selective institution where just 6% of applicants gain admission.

The $19,000 debt load is below both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 that most borrowers could manage comfortably. However, this data comes from a very small sample (under 30 graduates), so individual outcomes likely vary more than these numbers suggest. The relatively modest debt partly reflects that Dartmouth meets full demonstrated need for its students, though only 15% receive Pell grants—suggesting many families arrive with substantial resources.

For families who can afford Dartmouth's sticker price or qualify for generous aid, this represents an exceptional outcome for a humanities degree. The earnings trajectory shows history majors here aren't stuck in low-wage positions—they're landing competitive jobs that value critical thinking and communication skills. Just keep in mind these statistics may not capture the full range of possible outcomes given the limited sample size.