Analysis
University of Oklahoma's history program significantly outperforms both state and national expectations, with first-year graduates earning $39,604—well above the national median of $31,220 and ranking in the 89th percentile nationwide. Among Oklahoma's 20 history programs, OU leads the pack by a comfortable margin, earning its graduates roughly $7,500 more annually than the next closest program at UCO. The $25,000 median debt sits slightly above the state average but remains manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63, meaning graduates can expect to pay back less than eight months' salary.
The earnings trajectory looks solid, with graduates seeing 21% income growth by year four to reach $47,772. This isn't the explosive early-career growth of engineering or computer science, but it represents steady progress for a liberal arts degree. The combination of OU's strong alumni network in Oklahoma and the program's demonstrated ability to position graduates for decent starting salaries makes this a relatively safe bet among history programs.
For families concerned about liberal arts degrees, OU's history program offers concrete evidence that not all humanities programs lead to barista jobs. While your child won't become wealthy on this trajectory, they'll earn meaningfully more than most history majors while carrying reasonable debt. If they're committed to studying history, this is one of the better programs to do it.
Where University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all history bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | $39,604 | $47,772 | +21% |
| Amherst College | $56,444 | $114,276 | +102% |
| Harvard University | $53,468 | $89,238 | +67% |
| Duke University | $60,750 | $83,943 | +38% |
| University of Central Oklahoma | $32,127 | $39,699 | +24% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Oklahoma
History bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oklahoma (20 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman | $9,595 | $39,604 | $47,772 | $25,000 | 0.63 |
 University of Central OklahomaEdmond | $8,522 | $32,127 | $39,699 | $22,125 | 0.69 |
 East Central UniversityAda | $8,032 | $31,159 | — | $19,267 | 0.62 |
 Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater | $10,234 | $30,522 | — | $21,465 | 0.70 |
| National Median | — | $31,220 | — | $24,000 | 0.77 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with history graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
History Teachers, Postsecondary
Historians
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Archivists
Curators
Museum Technicians and Conservators
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus, approximately 24% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 35 graduates with reported earnings and 43 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.