History at Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State's history program starts with a challenging first year—$29,057 puts graduates slightly below Alabama's median and well under the national benchmark. However, the story here is about momentum. By year four, earnings jump 30% to nearly $38,000, leapfrogging not just state averages but approaching Troy University's outcomes. That growth trajectory suggests graduates are finding their footing in careers that value historical research and communication skills, even if entry positions are modest.

The $31,000 debt load sits above both state and national norms for history majors, which creates real strain during that tough first year. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.07 means graduates are essentially carrying their entire first-year salary in loans—manageable only because of that strong earnings curve afterward. For families watching college costs, this means budgeting for a potentially difficult immediate post-graduation period before career progression kicks in.

For parents, the calculation is straightforward: if your student can handle two years of tight finances post-graduation (perhaps living at home or with roommates), this program offers a credible path to middle-income earnings. The 30% growth rate is real and sustained. But if immediate financial independence matters—say, your student needs to support themselves right away—programs at Auburn or Montevallo deliver stronger starting salaries that might justify their similar debt loads.