History at University of Nevada-Las Vegas

The first-year earnings of $16,100 for UNLV History graduates represent a serious red flag—this figure falls in just the 5th percentile nationally and barely reaches the 10th percentile even among Nevada's limited options for history programs. To put this in perspective: the typical history graduate nationwide earns $31,220 in their first year, nearly double what UNLV graduates report. Even University of Nevada-Reno's history program shows median earnings of $34,000, more than twice UNLV's figure. This isn't a minor gap; it's a fundamental disconnect between what this degree costs and what it initially delivers.

The debt level of $19,099 might seem manageable in isolation, but paired with such low earnings, it creates a debt-to-earnings ratio above 1.0—meaning graduates owe more than they earn in their entire first year. While some humanities graduates do see earnings growth over time, starting this far behind makes financial independence difficult in those critical post-graduation years. The moderate sample size suggests these aren't outlier results but rather a consistent pattern.

If your child is committed to studying history, this data strongly suggests looking elsewhere. Nevada State University's history graduates earn over $50,000 their first year—more than three times UNLV's figure. That difference matters enormously when you're trying to build a life after college, not just repay loans.