History at Texas A & M International University

Texas A&M International's history program graduates earn about $29,000 in their first year—roughly $5,000 below the Texas median for history majors and in the 40th percentile statewide. While the relatively modest debt load of $18,000 keeps the program from being financially risky, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 means graduates are still shouldering nearly eight months of income in loans. The small sample size here is worth noting: with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift considerably with more data.

What stands out is the gap between TAMIU and other Texas history programs. Top-performing programs in the state produce graduates earning nearly double what TAMIU graduates make—the University of Houston-Clear Lake's history majors earn $57,000 in their first year. Even Texas A&M's main campus in College Station shows first-year earnings of $43,000. For a university serving a predominantly low-income student body (63% receive Pell grants), these modest outcomes raise questions about whether this particular degree is opening the economic doors families hope for.

The manageable debt is this program's saving grace, but families should think carefully about career paths. If your child is passionate about history and has clear graduate school or teaching plans, the lower debt burden provides flexibility. But if the goal is immediate earning power after graduation, other programs—even at TAMIU—might offer better returns on this four-year investment.