History at Earlham College

A $27,000 debt load for a degree that Indiana's history programs suggest will earn around $35,500 in the first year creates a manageable but tight financial picture. That 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within the workable range, though it means nearly nine months of gross income devoted to educational debt. Comparable Indiana programs show considerable variation—from Notre Dame and Southern Indiana graduates earning above $39,000 to IU-Bloomington closer to $32,000—indicating that outcomes depend heavily on factors beyond the major itself.

What complicates the calculation here is that both figures are estimates drawn from peer institutions rather than Earlham's actual graduate outcomes. The earnings estimate comes from six Indiana history programs, while the debt figure reflects three similar private colleges in the state. For a family weighing a significant investment in a selective liberal arts education—Earlham's 1250 average SAT suggests a strong student body—this uncertainty matters. History degrees historically serve as launching pads for graduate school, law, education, and other paths where first-year earnings tell only part of the story.

The practical question: can your family absorb this debt level if those first-year earnings prove accurate or even lower? If the answer depends on Earlham specifically outperforming these peer benchmarks, you're making a bet without the data to support it. If $27,000 feels manageable regardless, the program remains viable—just understand you're relying on analogies rather than Earlham's track record.