History at Stony Brook University

Stony Brook's history graduates start earning more than 85% of history majors nationwide within their first year, yet pay substantially less debt than most—a combination that's rare among liberal arts programs. At $21,000 in loans against $36,426 in first-year earnings, graduates face a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio, well below the threshold where repayment becomes burdensome.

The earnings trajectory strengthens the case: graduates see 35% income growth by year four, reaching $49,236. While that trails elite private institutions like Columbia or Barnard, it outpaces 60% of New York history programs at a fraction of the cost. For context, Stony Brook charges state university tuition while delivering earnings that exceed both the state median ($30,192) and national median ($31,220) for history degrees. That gap widens significantly in later years as graduates move into careers.

For families weighing a history degree—often dismissed as financially risky—Stony Brook offers a pragmatic path. Your child gets solid humanities training at a selective institution (49% admission rate, 1410 SAT average) without the debt loads common at comparable schools. The moderate sample size means outcomes can vary, but the pattern is clear: graduates launch careers successfully and see meaningful income growth. This isn't Columbia prestige, but it's a defensible investment that avoids the debt traps plaguing many liberal arts programs.