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
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,373 | $31,798 | $33,024 | $24,073 | 0.76 | |
| $11,954 | $32,999 | $43,507 | $18,625 | 0.56 | |
| $10,418 | $21,750 | $37,425 | $14,500 | 0.67 | |
| National Median | — | $31,220 | — | $24,000 | 0.77 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with history graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
History Teachers, Postsecondary
Historians
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Archivists
Curators
Museum Technicians and Conservators
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
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.