History at Oakland University

Oakland University's history program outperforms most competing programs despite coming from a mid-tier public university. At $36,257 in first-year earnings, graduates earn more than 77% of history programs nationwide and outpace the national median by $5,000—meaningful for a field where many graduates struggle to reach $30,000. Within Michigan, where in-state tuition makes this program particularly attractive, it ranks in the 60th percentile and trails only Wayne State and Saginaw Valley among major universities.

The debt picture reinforces the value: $22,875 is notably below both the state and national median for history degrees, resulting in a 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio that graduates can realistically manage. More importantly, earnings grow 23% by year four to $44,674, suggesting graduates are finding career traction rather than stalling in entry-level roles. This combination of above-average starting salaries, below-average debt, and solid growth is rare for humanities programs.

For Michigan families, this represents a practical choice—accessible admission standards (70% acceptance rate), reasonable costs, and outcomes that compete with more selective state universities. History majors won't become wealthy, but Oakland's version of the degree appears to prepare graduates for stable career paths without the debt burden that often makes liberal arts programs financially untenable.