History at Hobart William Smith Colleges

History graduates from Hobart William Smith face a significant initial challenge—that $30,710 first-year salary barely covers basic expenses in many areas—but the trajectory tells a more interesting story. Four years out, earnings jump to $67,364, a 119% increase that substantially outpaces typical history graduate outcomes. Among New York history programs, this places in the 60th percentile, meaning it performs better than most SUNY schools and many regional competitors, though it trails the elite privates like Columbia and Cornell by a wide margin.

The $27,000 debt load matters less than you might expect given the strong earnings growth. While the 0.88 debt-to-earnings ratio looks concerning initially, by year four graduates are earning enough to make this debt manageable. The real question is what drives that dramatic salary jump—whether it's the liberal arts network effect kicking in, graduate school attendance, or career pivots that leverage the degree differently. With fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset, these numbers could shift considerably with a larger sample.

For families comfortable with a lean first year or two post-graduation (perhaps with parental support or affordable housing), this program delivers respectable mid-term outcomes at a debt level that won't become crushing. Just recognize you're betting on that four-year timeline, not immediate payoff.