History at St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's College history graduates start at just $28,929—landing in the bottom quarter of Maryland history programs and below both the state median ($34,200) and national average. That's roughly $10,000 less annually than what graduates from nearby University of Maryland-College Park or Towson University earn. With nearly $24,000 in debt, it takes almost a full year's salary to cover what students borrowed, creating immediate financial pressure for recent graduates.

The silver lining is strong earnings growth: within four years, median pay jumps to $50,734, suggesting graduates eventually find their footing in the job market. However, this small sample (under 30 graduates) means these figures might not hold true for future classes. The low first-year number is particularly concerning since many graduates will need to begin loan repayments immediately, and $29,000 doesn't leave much cushion for someone living independently in Maryland.

For families considering this program, understand you're paying comparable debt to Maryland's flagship university while getting significantly lower early-career outcomes. If your child is committed to history, the stronger Maryland programs offer better value. This only makes sense if St. Mary's College offers something else critical—perhaps a specific academic mentor, honors program access, or smaller class sizes that justify the earnings tradeoff.