History at Indiana State University

Borrowing around $23,000 for a history degree that leads to first-year earnings near $35,500 creates a manageable debt burden, with graduates owing roughly two-thirds of their starting salary. Among Indiana's six history programs with available data, Indiana State sits in the middle of the pack—not commanding the premium of Notre Dame or Southern Indiana, but also avoiding the lower outcomes at some state campuses.

The trajectory from year one to year four shows modest growth to $38,162, which tracks closely with typical humanities career progressions where earnings build gradually through professional experience rather than spiking early. Because these figures are estimated from peer programs across Indiana rather than Indiana State's own graduate outcomes, they represent what similar history majors in the state typically earn—a reasonable baseline, though individual program quality and career services can shift results in either direction.

For parents wondering if this represents solid value, the debt load won't be crushing, and the earnings align with both state and national norms for history majors. The real question is whether your student plans to pursue graduate school (common for history majors) or leverage the degree for careers in education, nonprofits, or business where a liberal arts background opens doors. The numbers suggest a viable path forward, but history degrees rarely justify their value through first-year salary alone.