History at Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State's history program punches well above expectations, with graduates earning $38,628 in their first year—nearly $7,400 more than the national median for history majors and $6,000 above Michigan's average. Among Michigan's 32 history programs, only Wayne State and Oakland University produce higher early earnings. That's impressive performance for a regional university with a 73% admission rate, though it's worth noting these figures come from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, which can make the data less stable.

The debt picture strengthens the case considerably. At $29,702, graduates carry slightly more than Michigan's typical history major but far less than most programs nationally (5th percentile for debt). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 means graduates owe less than a year's salary—manageable territory. Earnings also grow to $41,612 by year four, suggesting the degree opens doors rather than leaving graduates stuck in entry-level roles.

For families weighing a history degree's practicality, this program demonstrates that outcomes depend heavily on where you study. While the small sample size means individual results could vary, the combination of above-average earnings, reasonable debt, and steady income growth indicates Saginaw Valley is doing something right in preparing humanities graduates for the job market.