History at Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Texas A&M-San Antonio's History program produces first-year earnings of $33,392—slightly above the national median but below Texas's state median of $34,269. This puts graduates in the 40th percentile among Texas history programs, meaning six out of ten similar programs in the state deliver stronger initial returns. The gap becomes more striking when you look at top Texas performers: UT Arlington history graduates earn 34% more, and even the flagship A&M campus in College Station yields 28% higher starting salaries.

The $25,000 median debt is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75—better than many humanities programs. With an admission rate above 90% and more than half of students receiving Pell grants, this campus serves primarily first-generation and lower-income students who need accessible pathways to degrees. For those students, the debt load isn't crushing, and earnings do exceed the national history median.

The practical question: Is this worth it when nearby options deliver substantially better outcomes? If your child is committed to history and this campus offers specific advantages—location, family obligations, transfer credits—the program won't bury them in debt. But if they have the flexibility to attend UT Arlington or the College Station campus, those programs deliver significantly stronger earning potential with comparable debt burdens.