History at Metropolitan State University

A $39,000 first-year salary based on comparable Minnesota history programs puts this degree well above the national median for history majors, which hovers around $31,000. The estimated $26,743 in debt—also drawn from peer institutions in Minnesota—translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68, meaning graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first year's salary. That's a more manageable burden than many liberal arts degrees carry, though it still requires careful financial planning in those early career years.

Metropolitan State serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (44%), and history degrees from open-access institutions like this one often appeal to career-changers or students balancing work with school. The earnings estimate aligns closely with other mid-tier public universities in Minnesota like Mankato, suggesting the credential holds reasonably consistent value across the state. However, it's worth noting that some Minnesota programs—like the University of Minnesota-Duluth—report slightly higher outcomes, while others like the Twin Cities campus show lower first-year figures, indicating that institutional prestige doesn't always dictate early earnings in this field.

The practical question: can you service $27,000 in debt on a $39,000 salary? Standard loan payments would consume about 12% of gross income, leaving limited margin for error if job hunting extends beyond graduation or if living costs run high. For students certain about teaching, public history, or graduate school, this represents a reasonable foundation, but those still exploring should recognize that these estimates reflect peers, not guaranteed outcomes for Metropolitan State specifically.