History at Siena College

The story here is dramatic earnings growth from an unusually low starting point. Siena history graduates earn just $29,000 in year one—about 7% below the New York state median and well into the bottom half nationally (35th percentile). But four years out, those same graduates are earning $52,400, an 80% jump that lifts them well above both state and national benchmarks. This pattern suggests either delayed entry into professional roles or that many graduates pursue additional education before hitting their stride.

The debt picture deserves credit: at $27,000, Siena keeps borrowing costs reasonable, especially for a private college. The debt-to-earnings ratio looks concerning at 0.93 when measured against first-year income, but that initial figure appears to be an anomaly rather than the full story. By year four, graduates are earning nearly double their debt load, which represents a stronger financial position than many history programs deliver.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly from these medians. If your child is considering Siena's history program, focus on the four-year trajectory rather than that first-year number, and understand that immediate post-graduation earnings may require patience and possibly additional credentials to reach the stronger mid-career figures.