History at SUNY Old Westbury

SUNY Old Westbury's history graduates face a challenging first year, earning $33,901, but the program's trajectory tells a more interesting story. By year four, earnings jump 43% to $48,455—well above both the New York state median ($30,192) and national average ($31,220) for history degrees. Among New York's 86 history programs, this lands in the 60th percentile, outperforming many peers despite serving a predominantly working-class student body where 47% receive Pell grants.

The debt picture provides real breathing room. At $16,800, graduates owe roughly $7,000 less than typical history majors nationally and in New York. That's just half of first-year earnings—a manageable ratio that means loan payments shouldn't dominate your child's early career budget. The stronger earnings growth after year one suggests graduates are finding paths beyond entry-level positions, whether in education, public service, or corporate roles where liberal arts skills translate.

The caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual experiences may vary more than at larger programs. Still, the combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings growth makes this a relatively low-risk humanities degree. Your child won't match Columbia's outcomes, but they'll likely emerge with a credential that opens doors without the financial weight that often burdens liberal arts graduates.