History at Saint Johns University

A debt load around $26,000 for a humanities degree is hardly unusual, but the real question is whether similar Minnesota history programs deliver enough earning power to justify it. Based on three comparable programs in the state, graduates typically earn about $39,186 in their first year—roughly $8,000 above the national median for history degrees. That's encouraging and puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.66, meaning roughly eight months of gross pay to cover the total debt.

Still, $39,000 isn't a comfortable salary when you're also managing loan payments, and history degrees rarely lead to dramatic salary growth in the early years. Saint John's serves a mostly middle-class to affluent student body (just 18% receive Pell grants), so many families may absorb some of this debt themselves. The school's 90% admission rate suggests accessibility, though the SAT average of 1220 indicates students are academically solid.

The practical reality: if your child is passionate about history and has a plan for what comes after—whether that's grad school, teaching certification, or a specific career path—this program's estimated outcomes align with what other Minnesota schools produce. But if they're undecided or viewing this as a general liberal arts path, understand that $26,000 in debt will feel heavy on a sub-$40,000 salary, especially in those first few years.