History at Indiana University-Northwest

Based on comparable history programs across Indiana, first-year earnings around $35,500 would put this program right at the state median—a reasonable outcome for a liberal arts degree. The estimated debt of $23,367 translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66, which suggests manageable monthly payments in the early career years. While these figures are derived from peer institutions rather than IU-Northwest's own graduates, they align closely with what similar public universities in Indiana typically produce.

The context matters here: IU-Northwest serves a predominantly working-class student population (43% receive Pell grants) in the Gary area, and history degrees from regional campuses often lead to education, nonprofit, or public sector careers where earnings grow steadily but start modestly. The estimated earnings match the national 75th percentile for history programs, which is actually encouraging—it suggests graduates aren't being disadvantaged by attending a regional campus. Programs at Notre Dame or Southern Indiana show higher first-year earnings, but they also likely draw different student populations with different career networks.

The uncertainty around these estimates is real, but the fundamentals look sound: debt below typical borrowing levels for a bachelor's degree, earnings consistent with what history majors achieve elsewhere, and a price point that reflects IU-Northwest's mission as an accessible regional institution. If your child is drawn to history and plans to stay in Northwest Indiana or pursue teaching certification, this program appears financially viable—just recognize you're working with peer data, not this campus's actual track record.