History at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 falls within manageable territory for a liberal arts degree, though these figures come from comparable programs rather than tracked outcomes for Saint Mary's history graduates specifically. Similar Minnesota history programs suggest first-year earnings around $39,186, which notably exceeds the national median of $31,220 for this major. The estimated $25,946 in debt aligns closely with typical borrowing for history degrees nationwide.

The real question is what your child plans to do with this degree. History majors follow divergent career paths—some enter teaching, nonprofits, or government work where these earnings make sense long-term, while others pursue graduate study in law, public policy, or education where the bachelor's serves as a foundation rather than a terminal credential. The Minnesota labor market appears stronger for history graduates than many states, but first-year earnings in the high $30,000s still mean tight budgets while paying down loans.

Given the estimation uncertainty and Saint Mary's 89% admission rate, I'd want concrete answers about career services, alumni outcomes, and graduate school placement before committing. If your child has a clear professional direction where this degree opens doors—or if they're planning further education—the debt load is reasonable. If they're choosing history hoping the path will reveal itself, that's riskier with $26,000 in loans and estimated outcomes based on peer schools rather than demonstrated results from this campus.