History at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

This program's story is about patience and persistence rather than immediate payoff. SIUE History graduates start at just $26,916—well below both the Illinois median ($33,288) and national average for the major—but earnings jump 53% by year four to $41,194. That's a notable climb, though it still leaves graduates trailing peers at Illinois State ($40,465 starting) and far behind Northwestern or UChicago outcomes.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $21,500, it's actually lower than typical History program debt both nationally and statewide. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80 isn't alarming given how low the starting point is, and that ratio improves significantly as earnings grow. For a program at a school with a 97% admission rate serving a substantial population of Pell Grant recipients, these numbers reflect accessibility rather than selectivity.

The practical reality? Your graduate will likely need to weather a lean first year or two, possibly supplementing with family support or additional work. The 25th percentile ranking among Illinois History programs means three-quarters of similar programs produce better initial outcomes. But if you're choosing SIUE for its affordability and your student plans to build skills and advance over time—perhaps into education, nonprofit management, or related fields—the trajectory shows it's possible to reach a livable wage, even if it takes longer than at more competitive programs.