History at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

UMass Lowell's history graduates earn $27,586 in their first year—about $6,500 below the Massachusetts median for history majors and nearly $4,000 below the national average. Among Bay State history programs, this lands in just the 25th percentile, trailing not only elite institutions like Amherst and Harvard but also peer state schools like UMass Boston and Fitchburg State. The debt load of $24,250 sits right at the national median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.88 that's manageable but not compelling given the weak starting point.

The positive here is trajectory: earnings jump 54% by year four, reaching $42,508. That's a significant improvement and suggests graduates eventually find their footing in the job market. However, with a sample size under 30 students, these numbers could shift considerably from year to year. A few graduates landing high-paying positions—or struggling to find work—can dramatically skew the averages.

For families paying in-state tuition, this program offers an affordable entry point to a liberal arts degree at a school with an 85% acceptance rate. But the early earnings struggle is real, and Massachusetts has demonstrably stronger options for history majors at similar price points. If your child is set on UMass Lowell for other reasons (location, specific professors, campus culture), the debt levels won't be crushing. Just understand they're likely starting behind most Massachusetts history graduates and will need patience to reach competitive earnings.