History at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Starting at $27,711 a year out, East Stroudsburg's history graduates earn about $4,000 less than both the national and Pennsylvania medians for this degree. While that puts the program in the bottom quartile nationally, the picture is less stark within Pennsylvania—roughly 40% of the state's history programs produce lower earnings, suggesting this outcome isn't far from typical for PA schools outside the elite tier.

The debt load of $27,000 matches the state median exactly and sits well below the national average, which helps offset the modest starting salary. More encouraging is the earnings trajectory: graduates see a 37% jump to $38,023 by year four, outpacing inflation and narrowing the gap with peers from higher-ranked programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0 and manageable monthly payments likely in the $270-300 range, most graduates should be able to handle their loans on a humanities salary.

The real caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers could shift substantially year to year. For families considering this program, the value depends heavily on post-graduation plans. If your child needs the bachelor's as a stepping stone to teaching certification, graduate school, or public sector work where East Stroudsburg's regional connections matter, the affordable debt makes sense. For students aiming at competitive career tracks where pedigree matters, those top-tier PA schools deliver significantly better outcomes.