History at University of Alabama at Birmingham

UAB's history program shows promising four-year earnings growth—44% by year four brings graduates to $40,599—but the starting point is notably weak. At $28,121 in year one, these graduates earn below both Alabama's state median ($29,400) and the national benchmark ($31,220), placing them in just the 28th percentile nationally and 40th percentile statewide. Among Alabama's history programs, graduates here trail Troy University by over $11,000 and even fall behind Auburn and South Alabama.

The financial picture does have one bright spot: UAB's history majors graduate with relatively manageable debt ($28,175), which is better than most comparable programs. The one-to-one debt-to-earnings ratio in year one becomes more reasonable by year four as salaries improve. However, the small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—means these numbers could swing significantly year to year and may not represent typical outcomes.

For families weighing this program, understand that you're looking at a challenging first few years post-graduation with below-average starting pay, even for a humanities degree. While earnings do climb substantially, your child would still be earning less at year four than Troy University history graduates make from day one. If your student is set on history in Alabama, consider whether the higher-performing programs might offer better career support or alumni networks that translate to stronger job placement.