History at Indiana University-Indianapolis

IU Indianapolis's history program starts graduates at $31,526—just above the national median but notably behind Indiana's state median of $35,509. While this 40th percentile state ranking initially looks weak, the program's real story is in its trajectory: earnings climb 26% to nearly $40,000 by year four, ultimately landing graduates alongside those from Notre Dame and Wabash College. That growth pattern matters more for a broadly-applicable humanities degree where early career exploration is normal.

The $27,000 debt load sits at just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of history programs saddle students with more debt—a genuine advantage that keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio reasonable at 0.86. Combined with the school's 81% admission rate and 36% Pell grant population, this accessibility without crushing debt becomes a practical pathway for Indiana families who can't afford private school premiums but want their child to earn a liberal arts degree.

The significant caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes vary widely. Still, for parents whose child is set on history and staying in-state, this program offers manageable debt with earnings that catch up to Indiana's better-known programs within a few years—just don't expect it to unlock immediate financial returns that humanities degrees rarely provide anyway.