History at Drake University

A history degree from Drake appears to position graduates reasonably well within Iowa's market, though we're working with estimated figures here. Similar programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $36,400, which would put Drake's graduates roughly in the middle of the pack—above UNI but trailing Iowa State and Grinnell. By year four, actual reported earnings of $41,474 show solid progression and exceed what most history programs nationally produce.

The estimated debt load of roughly $26,000 creates a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than one year's salary. That's workable for a humanities degree, particularly as earnings climb beyond $40,000 within a few years. Drake's selectivity (64% admission rate, 1288 average SAT) suggests the school attracts reasonably strong students, which often correlates with better outcomes—the four-year earnings figure supports this.

The caveat: these estimates are based on peer programs rather than Drake's actual graduate outcomes. If your child is seriously considering this program, ask Drake's career services for placement data specific to history majors—where do they work, what roles do they fill, and how do actual graduates fare in the job market? The numbers suggest a reasonable investment, but concrete data from the school itself would remove the guesswork.