History at University of Delaware

History graduates from University of Delaware start modestly at $34,753, but their trajectory tells a more encouraging story than typical humanities degrees. Within four years, earnings jump 28% to $44,583—meaningful growth that outpaces inflation and suggests these graduates are finding career traction. This program ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for history degrees, beating the $31,220 national median by over $3,000 in first-year earnings.

The $23,250 in debt is reasonable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67—well within manageable territory. That's roughly two-thirds of a year's starting salary, which most financial advisors consider sustainable. With Delaware being a small state (only two schools offer history degrees), state rankings matter less here than the national comparison, where UDelaware clearly stands out among the 1,276 programs nationwide.

The real question is whether these earnings meet your family's expectations. History isn't a high-earning field, but this program delivers better outcomes than most. For a student genuinely passionate about the humanities who understands they're trading peak earnings for other career satisfactions, this represents a financially responsible way to pursue that path. The steady income growth and modest debt load mean your child won't be financially hamstrung by this choice—they'll have room to build a career without crushing loan payments.