History at Smith College

Smith College's history program shows concerning first-year earnings of just $26,131—well below both the state median ($34,059) and national average ($31,220). This places it in the 25th percentile among Massachusetts history programs, meaning 75% of comparable in-state programs deliver stronger initial outcomes. Even accounting for Smith's highly selective admissions (20% acceptance rate, 1480 SAT), these numbers fall short of peer institutions like Amherst ($56,444) and Holy Cross ($42,345).

The picture brightens considerably by year four, with earnings nearly doubling to $50,418. This dramatic 93% growth suggests graduates eventually find their footing, possibly in fields that require additional credentialing or networking time. The relatively modest $19,000 in debt helps—that 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable even during the lean early years.

However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these figures less reliable than data from larger programs. History majors at Smith may be pursuing graduate school, moving into competitive urban markets with high living costs, or taking unpaid internships that temporarily suppress earnings. For families paying Smith's premium tuition, these numbers warrant serious discussion about post-graduation plans and financial runway. If your student needs immediate earning power after graduation, consider UMass-Boston's history program, which shows $46,908 at the four-year mark with likely lower total costs.