Median Earnings (1yr)
$28,013
27th percentile
60th percentile in Ohio
Median Debt
$26,720
11% above national median

Analysis

Wooster's history program sits in an unusual position: it performs above the Ohio median but below the national average, with starting salaries around $28,000 that grow to nearly $41,000 by year four. That 46% earnings growth is notable, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with more data.

The debt picture is actually favorable—at $26,720, graduates carry less debt than the national median for history programs, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio just under 1.0. That's manageable territory, especially given the solid earnings trajectory. However, parents should note that Wooster graduates start roughly $4,000 below comparable Ohio programs like University of Akron or UC-Cincinnati, which matters during those lean first years when loan payments begin.

The broader context matters too: only 20% of Wooster students receive Pell grants, suggesting this is primarily serving families with resources. If you're paying private school prices for this degree, understand that you're investing in Wooster's liberal arts experience and network rather than premium earnings outcomes. The trajectory is encouraging, but starting at $28,000 means years of tight budgets even with relatively modest debt.

Where The College of Wooster Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all history bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How The College of Wooster graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
The College of Wooster$28,013$40,777+46%
Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus$26,663$41,697+56%
Ohio State University-Marion Campus$26,663$41,697+56%
Ohio State University-Lima Campus$26,663$41,697+56%
Ohio State University-Newark Campus$26,663$41,697+56%

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

History bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (63 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
The College of WoosterWooster$59,550$28,013$40,777$26,7200.95
University of Akron Main CampusAkron$12,799$32,577$35,770$23,1000.71
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati$13,570$31,217$23,7560.76
Miami University-OxfordOxford$17,809$31,194$36,425$26,0000.83
Baldwin Wallace UniversityBerea$37,938$31,163$27,0000.87
Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBowling Green$14,081$30,226$36,362$26,0000.86
National Median$31,220$24,0000.77

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with history graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

History Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Historians

Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.

$74,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Archivists

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

$57,100/yrJobs growth:

Curators

Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.

$57,100/yrJobs growth:

Museum Technicians and Conservators

Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

$57,100/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At The College of Wooster, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 25 graduates with reported earnings and 35 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.