History at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

A history degree from UT Rio Grande Valley starts slowly but shows meaningful momentum—first-year earnings of $26,081 climb 34% to nearly $35,000 by year four. That's notable growth for humanities graduates, though the starting salary still trails Texas's median for history majors by about $8,000. Among the state's 69 history programs, this one ranks in just the 25th percentile for earnings, placing it in the bottom quartile alongside programs at regional universities with similar student populations.

The debt picture offers a counterbalance. At $18,125, graduates carry about $6,000 less than the state median and roughly $6,000 below the national average for history programs. With 64% of students receiving Pell grants, this reflects UT Rio Grande Valley's mission serving predominantly low-income students in the Rio Grande Valley—many of whom might otherwise skip college entirely. The 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, though the low absolute earnings mean monthly payments will still stretch tight budgets.

For families in South Texas where college attendance isn't a given, this program provides accessible humanities education without crushing debt. But parents should understand their child will likely earn $15,000 to $20,000 less in early career compared to history graduates from UT Arlington or Texas A&M. If your student can gain admission to higher-ranked state schools, the earnings premium is substantial enough to justify the move.