History at University of California-Riverside

UC Riverside's history program shows something unusual: graduates start below both national and California medians but experience robust 38% earnings growth over four years. That $29,824 first-year figure trails the national median by about $1,400, but by year four, graduates reach $41,004—surpassing most California history programs and landing in the state's 60th percentile.

The debt picture matters here. At $19,330, graduates carry less debt than the national median ($24,000) but notably more than California's typical history program ($16,304). Still, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65, these loans remain manageable even during that modest first year. The earnings trajectory suggests graduates are finding their footing professionally, possibly leveraging UC Riverside's location in Southern California's expanding job markets or transitioning into fields where history degrees provide valuable analytical and communication skills.

For a UC education serving a student body where nearly half receive Pell grants, this represents a reasonable pathway into the middle class. Your child won't match San Diego State's immediate outcomes, but they'll be on similar footing by year four with a UC credential. The debt is serviceable, and the growth pattern indicates graduates are building careers, not treading water. Just ensure they have a plan beyond "I'll figure it out"—the successful outcomes here likely belong to students who pursued internships, graduate programs, or clear professional paths.