History at Saint Ambrose University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 puts this program in reasonable territory—borrowers would owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary. The estimated $26,000 in debt aligns closely with both national and state medians for history degrees, while projected earnings of $36,400 match Iowa's state median. That figure sits well above the national benchmark of $31,200, suggesting Iowa's job market or cost of living provides some advantage for humanities graduates. Still, these are estimates drawn from peer programs rather than Saint Ambrose's actual graduate outcomes, so there's inherent uncertainty about whether this specific program performs at, above, or below that state average.

Context matters here: Iowa State and Grinnell graduates with history degrees earn notably more in their first year ($41,000-$40,000), while Northern Iowa's graduates start around $28,000. Saint Ambrose's estimates land in the middle of this range. The university's 73% admission rate and moderate Peel grant enrollment suggest a typical private college experience without the premium pricing of more selective schools. For a family considering a $26,000 debt load, the key question is whether Saint Ambrose's specific outcomes track with other Iowa history programs or diverge meaningfully—information that won't be clear until the college has enough graduates to report.

The practical takeaway: if your child is committed to history and prefers Saint Ambrose's environment, the estimated debt burden appears manageable based on what similar programs produce. Request the school's own placement data to fill in what federal reports can't yet show.