History at Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State's history program shows remarkable income growth—graduates nearly double their earnings in just three years, jumping from $34,016 to $51,573. That 52% surge suggests grads are successfully transitioning into better-paying roles, whether in teaching, public history, or pivoting to business fields. The starting salary sits right at the Texas median for history programs, though notably trails higher-performing programs like UT Arlington and Texas A&M by $10,000+.

The debt picture is exceptionally strong here. At $28,000, graduates owe less than both the state and national medians, with a manageable 0.82 ratio to first-year earnings—meaning most can realistically pay this down even before the stronger years kick in. For context, this debt level ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of history programs leave students with more debt.

The catch is that middle-of-the-pack performance within Texas: ranking in the 40th percentile among state programs means your child could potentially earn more at schools like Texas A&M or UTA if they're admitted. Still, for families prioritizing affordable access to a quality humanities education, Sam Houston delivers solid fundamentals—reasonable debt, steady earnings growth, and an 85% admission rate that makes it attainable. The four-year earnings trajectory suggests patience pays off here.