History at Macalester College

The estimated debt load of nearly $26,000 for Macalester's history program isn't catastrophic, but paired with first-year earnings around $39,000—typical for Minnesota history graduates—it creates a tight financial start. That 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio means your child would owe about eight months of their gross salary, a manageable but not insignificant burden for a humanities graduate likely pursuing work in education, nonprofits, or public service where early salaries rarely surge.

What complicates the picture is Macalester's selective profile. With a 28% admission rate and average SAT of 1424, this school draws high-achieving students who might have alternatives with stronger earnings trajectories or less debt. Similar history programs in Minnesota show a wide range—some grads earn $42,000 out of the gate, others closer to $27,000—but all cluster around that $39,000 mark that defines the state's history market. Nationally, Minnesota history programs actually perform above average, beating the $31,000 national median by 25%.

The real question: Is the Macalester experience—small classes, liberal arts rigor, strong alumni networks—worth starting a career with moderate debt in a field where graduate school (and more debt) is often necessary for advancement? If your child is passionate about history and has clear post-graduation plans, this represents a reasonable investment. If they're uncertain about their path, that $26,000 becomes a harder constraint to navigate while exploring options.