Analysis
Radford's history program shows a troubling first-year earnings picture—$28,239 lands in just the 28th percentile nationally and 40th in Virginia, where the state median is $32,368. The $20,500 debt load isn't massive, but paired with those initial wages, your child would be earning less than many graduates from state schools like Longwood ($37,404) or Old Dominion ($36,733) who attended programs with similar tuition structures.
The one promising signal is the 75% earnings jump by year four, reaching $49,327. If that trajectory holds, this becomes a very different story—those fourth-year earnings would actually exceed what most history graduates earn early in their careers. But here's the critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making these numbers statistically shaky. One or two graduates landing in high-earning fields could dramatically skew the average, and you can't bank your child's future on that uncertainty.
The safer bet for a Virginia family considering history would be exploring programs at schools like Longwood or ODU, where larger sample sizes suggest more reliable outcomes and stronger early earnings. If Radford is still the choice for other reasons, go in expecting a difficult first year or two financially, and have a backup plan if those fourth-year earnings don't materialize.
Where Radford University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all history bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Radford University 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radford University | $28,239 | $49,327 | +75% |
| Virginia Military Institute | $42,543 | $64,539 | +52% |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | $34,028 | $58,287 | +71% |
| George Mason University | $25,992 | $50,874 | +96% |
| William & Mary | $31,595 | $49,311 | +56% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
History bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (40 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Radford UniversityRadford | $12,286 | $28,239 | $49,327 | $20,500 | 0.73 |
 Hampden-Sydney CollegeHampden-Sydney | $52,388 | $42,949 | — | $27,000 | 0.63 |
 Virginia Military InstituteLexington | $20,484 | $42,543 | $64,539 | $19,500 | 0.46 |
 Longwood UniversityFarmville | $15,200 | $37,404 | $41,782 | $26,988 | 0.72 |
 Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk | $12,262 | $36,733 | $41,996 | $24,875 | 0.68 |
 University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville | $20,986 | $34,028 | $58,287 | $19,352 | 0.57 |
| 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 Radford University, approximately 35% 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 26 graduates with reported earnings and 32 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.