Analysis
Presbyterian College's history program produces graduates earning $35,265 in their first year—nearly $5,000 above the South Carolina median and $4,000 above the national average for history majors. That's solid performance for a liberal arts program, placing it in the 60th percentile statewide and 72nd percentile nationally. Graduates carry $25,500 in debt, yielding a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72, meaning students can expect to owe less than a year's salary.
The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth to $36,507 by year four, maintaining the program's competitive position against other SC schools. Only military-focused Citadel and two larger state universities (Lander and Clemson) outpace Presbyterian's history graduates in the state. For a small liberal arts college with a 72% admission rate, these outcomes suggest reasonable career preparation, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes could vary more than these medians suggest.
For families comfortable with moderate debt and realistic about history degree earnings, this program delivers above-average results compared to similar programs statewide. The debt level won't be crushing, and starting salaries exceed what most South Carolina history programs achieve. Just understand you're betting on limited data—a larger cohort might tell a different story.
Where Presbyterian College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all history bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Presbyterian College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presbyterian College | $35,265 | $36,507 | +4% |
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | $42,712 | $53,322 | +25% |
| Clemson University | $36,199 | $43,894 | +21% |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | $27,652 | $43,166 | +56% |
| College of Charleston | $28,449 | $38,464 | +35% |
Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina
History bachelors's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (29 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Presbyterian CollegeClinton | $43,300 | $35,265 | $36,507 | $25,500 | 0.72 |
 Citadel Military College of South CarolinaCharleston | $12,570 | $42,712 | $53,322 | $25,524 | 0.60 |
 Lander UniversityGreenwood | $11,700 | $36,613 | $34,464 | $21,297 | 0.58 |
 Clemson UniversityClemson | $15,554 | $36,199 | $43,894 | $24,550 | 0.68 |
 Wofford CollegeSpartanburg | $54,100 | $30,189 | — | — | — |
 College of CharlestonCharleston | $12,978 | $28,449 | $38,464 | $27,000 | 0.95 |
| National Median | — | $31,220 | — | $24,000 | 0.77 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with history graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
History Teachers, Postsecondary
Historians
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Archivists
Curators
Museum Technicians and Conservators
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Presbyterian College, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 16 graduates with reported earnings and 24 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.