History at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan's History program starts graduates at $28,414—roughly $4,000 below both the Michigan median and national average for history majors. Among Michigan's 32 history programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile, trailing schools like Saginaw Valley State and Central Michigan by $5,000-$10,000 annually. The modest 18% earnings growth to $33,636 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, but graduates remain behind their in-state peers. The positive here is debt: at $29,118, it's actually below the Michigan median and produces a manageable 1.02 debt-to-earnings ratio.

However, these figures come from a very small sample—fewer than 30 graduates—which means individual outcomes vary widely and next year's numbers could tell a different story. For context, EMU serves a substantial population of Pell Grant recipients (37%), and history majors everywhere face challenging initial job markets. The real question is whether your student views this degree as preparation for graduate school, teaching credentials, or direct workforce entry, since those paths have vastly different earning trajectories.

If your child is paying in-state tuition and keeping debt near this median, the numbers are workable though unexciting. If they're borrowing significantly more or counting on this BA alone to launch their career, consider how the below-average starting salary fits their financial reality and long-term plans.