History at Norwich University

Norwich University's history program commands a premium—$27,000 in median debt versus $23,000 statewide—but the earnings justify it. At $42,940 one year out, graduates earn 22% more than Vermont's median for history majors and land in the 95th percentile nationally. Only Middlebury produces higher-earning history graduates in Vermont, and Norwich does so at a much lower price point than that elite liberal arts college.

The debt load translates to a 0.63 ratio against first-year earnings, meaning graduates owe roughly eight months of salary—manageable territory that beats 95% of history programs nationwide. Earnings grow modestly to $45,368 by year four, which isn't explosive growth but represents steady progression. For context, the typical history major nationally earns just $31,220, making Norwich's outcomes look particularly strong.

The trade-off here is clear: you're paying slightly above Vermont's average debt for a history degree, but getting significantly above-average earning power in return. For a parent worried about a humanities major's job prospects, Norwich demonstrates that its military college culture and career placement infrastructure translates into real marketplace value—even for a traditional liberal arts field where outcomes often disappoint.