History at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

IUP's History program lands squarely in the middle of the pack, beating 60% of similar programs both nationally and across Pennsylvania—a modest but real achievement for a school with a 91% admission rate. At $40,587 four years out, graduates earn about $11,000 more than the typical Pennsylvania history major and nearly $10,000 above the national median. That 23% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates are finding their footing in the job market, though they're still far behind Penn's elite outcomes.

The debt picture is actually encouraging: at $29,250, it's slightly above the state median but well below typical borrowing levels for this degree nationwide (5th percentile for debt burden). With a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0, graduates can realistically manage their loans on a history major's income—no small feat in this field. The program serves a working-class student body (36% receive Pell grants) without saddling them with crushing debt.

The caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so one particularly successful or struggling cohort could skew the numbers significantly. Still, if you're considering history programs in Pennsylvania and your child isn't Penn-bound, IUP delivers middle-of-the-road outcomes at a manageable debt level—not flashy, but financially viable for students passionate about the field.