History at Lycoming College

Lycoming's history program produces first-year earnings of $35,026—a solid outcome that exceeds both the Pennsylvania median ($29,591) and national median ($31,220) for history degrees. At an estimated $27,000 in debt based on comparable Pennsylvania programs, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 falls within manageable territory, suggesting graduates can realistically handle their loan payments on a history major's typical salary.

The stagnant earnings trajectory tells a more complicated story. Four years out, graduates actually earn slightly less ($34,345) than they did initially, which differs from the typical career progression where earnings rise with experience. This plateau means the financial picture doesn't meaningfully improve over time—what you see in year one is roughly what you get several years later. For context, Lycoming's outcomes trail Pennsylvania's top history programs like Penn ($48,555) but remain competitive with state universities like Slippery Rock and Shippensburg that produce $34,000-$35,000 earners.

For parents, the key question is whether $27,000 in debt makes sense for a career track that starts and stays around $35,000. The debt load is reasonable relative to earnings, and Lycoming clearly provides a better-than-average history education compared to most Pennsylvania schools. However, the lack of earnings growth means graduates need to be strategic about their post-graduation plans—whether that's graduate school, pivoting to higher-paying fields, or accepting that their mid-30s salary may look similar to their starting salary.