History at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

When comparable History programs in Indiana produce first-year earnings around $35,500, paying $27,000 to attend Indiana Wesleyan places you near the middle of the pack for debt but without the standout returns seen at places like Southern Indiana or Notre Dame. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 is manageable—better than what many humanities graduates face—but it's worth noting that peer programs in the state show a meaningful earnings spread, from $31,500 to over $40,000.

The challenge with History degrees generally is that first-year earnings rarely tell the full story, as many graduates need additional credentials or years of experience before their earnings truly take off. Indiana Wesleyan's relatively high acceptance rate and modest SAT scores suggest it serves a broad student population, which can be a strength for students who need flexibility or support. However, without actual outcome data for this specific program, you're making a bet that these graduates will track similarly to others in the state.

The practical question is whether this particular program offers enough—through faculty connections, internship networks, or graduate school preparation—to justify the estimated debt load when stronger-performing History programs exist nearby. If your child is considering Indiana Wesleyan for reasons beyond the History major itself (faith-based community, location, specific campus culture), the debt burden isn't alarming. But if the History program is the primary draw, dig into placement specifics before committing.