History at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

UT-Knoxville history graduates start well below the state median at $28,713, but they experience something important that many humanities programs don't deliver: meaningful wage growth. By year four, earnings jump 44% to $41,303—vaulting past Tennessee's median for history majors and moving within range of what you'd expect nationally. The manageable $19,000 debt load helps considerably here, creating a sub-1.0 debt-to-earnings ratio that gives graduates breathing room during those lean early years.

The real question is whether families can weather the initial gap. That first-year salary trails even Middle Tennessee State and Austin Peay State graduates, which matters if your student needs to start repaying loans immediately. However, this appears to be a timing issue rather than a ceiling problem. The strong earnings trajectory suggests UT-Knoxville graduates are landing positions with advancement potential—perhaps in education, government, or nonprofit management—rather than settling into retail or service jobs.

For families who can provide some financial cushioning in years 1-2, this program offers reasonable value given the flagship school's reputation and relatively low debt burden. But if your student needs to be financially independent from day one, programs at MTSU or Austin Peay deliver higher immediate earnings, even if the long-term trajectory might be flatter.