History at Marian University

A history degree with estimated debt of $27,000 and first-year earnings around $35,500 places this program roughly in the middle of Indiana's range, though these figures are drawn from similar programs rather than Marian's actual graduates. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 falls within manageable territory—comparable programs suggest graduates would dedicate about three-quarters of their first year's salary to debt, which is workable but not comfortable. The estimated earnings align with the state median for history programs, positioning somewhere between Indiana's more selective universities and its regional comprehensives.

The challenge is that history degrees rarely lead to high-paying immediate employment, and the estimates here reflect that reality. While some Indiana programs like Southern Indiana and Notre Dame report outcomes near $40,000, others cluster in the low thirties. Without actual data from Marian's graduates, it's difficult to know where this program truly lands. The $27,000 debt figure is slightly above the state median and would require careful budgeting in those early career years when many history majors are building toward better-paying positions in education, nonprofit work, or graduate school.

For families considering this path, the key question is whether your student has a clear plan for leveraging a history degree—whether that's teaching, law school, or another field where the degree serves as foundation. The estimated numbers suggest a manageable but not easy financial start, assuming these peer program outcomes hold true for Marian's graduates.