Median Earnings (1yr)
$31,798
53rd percentile
60th percentile in Louisiana
Median Debt
$24,073
At national median

Analysis

Southeastern Louisiana's history program produces graduates earning roughly $32,000 in their first year—slightly above the national median for history majors and exactly matching Louisiana's state median. Among the state's 21 history programs, it ranks in the 60th percentile, though that positioning comes with a significant caveat: the sample size here is quite small (under 30 graduates), making these figures less reliable than data from larger programs.

The debt load of $24,073 is essentially on par with what history majors typically carry nationally, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76. That's manageable territory—graduates would need about three-quarters of their first year's salary to cover their debt. The modest 4% earnings growth over four years suggests relatively stable but limited income progression, which is fairly typical for humanities graduates in their early careers.

For parents evaluating this program, the key consideration is the small sample size, which means individual outcomes could vary considerably from these medians. The financial picture itself isn't alarming—graduates leave with typical debt and earn middle-of-the-pack salaries for history majors—but the limited data makes it harder to predict whether your student would land closer to the successful outcomes or struggle more. If your child is committed to history, this program won't likely put them at a disadvantage compared to other Louisiana schools, but the small cohort size means you're working with less certainty than you'd have at LSU or UL Lafayette.

Where Southeastern Louisiana University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all history bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Southeastern Louisiana University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Southeastern Louisiana University$31,798$33,024+4%
Amherst College$56,444$114,276+102%
Harvard University$53,468$89,238+67%
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College$32,999$43,507+32%
University of Louisiana at Lafayette$21,750$37,425+72%

Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana

History bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (21 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond$8,373$31,798$33,024$24,0730.76
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge$11,954$32,999$43,507$18,6250.56
University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette$10,418$21,750$37,425$14,5000.67
National Median—$31,220—$24,0000.77

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with history graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

History Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Historians

Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.

$74,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Archivists

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

$57,100/yrJobs growth:

Curators

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

$57,100/yrJobs growth:

Museum Technicians and Conservators

Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

$57,100/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southeastern Louisiana University, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 26 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.