History at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State's history program outperforms most peers while keeping debt manageable—a combination that's harder to find than you might think in this field. Starting at $32,752, graduates earn more than 58% of history majors nationwide and rank in the 60th percentile among Georgia's 43 history programs. More importantly, the debt load sits well below national norms, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 that's actually quite favorable for a humanities degree.

The earnings trajectory tells a realistic story: growth from $32,752 to $37,170 over four years reflects steady but modest advancement, typical for history graduates who often need time to find their professional footing. While programs like University of North Georgia deliver higher starting salaries, they're not substantially ahead, and Kennesaw's combination of reasonable debt and decent earnings creates less financial pressure in those early career years. For a family concerned about liberal arts programs, this is what a sensible investment looks like—not spectacular returns, but solid fundamentals.

The practical reality: your child won't get rich with this degree, but they won't be crushed by debt either. With monthly loan payments around $300 on that $26,485 debt and take-home pay supporting independent living in Georgia's smaller cities, this program offers a workable path for students genuinely committed to history. Just make sure they understand the career planning work that lies ahead.