History at University of Puget Sound

History graduates from University of Puget Sound face a challenging first year, earning just under $30,000—which actually matches the state median but falls short of the national benchmark. The real concern is the debt load: at $20,500, it ranks in the 75th percentile nationally, meaning most comparable programs saddle students with less debt. Combined with below-average starting salaries, graduates face nearly nine months of first-year earnings just to cover their educational debt. For a selective liberal arts college with an average SAT of 1332, these outcomes trail behind what Washington's public universities deliver—Eastern Washington and Central Washington history grads start nearly $6,000 higher.

However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these figures unreliable for drawing firm conclusions. The earnings could shift significantly with just a few graduates entering different career paths, and this snapshot captures only the immediate post-graduation period when many humanities majors are in internships or entry-level positions. The moderate debt load is more manageable than many private institutions, and Puget Sound's strong academic reputation may translate into career advantages not captured in year-one earnings.

If your child is passionate about history and drawn to Puget Sound's intimate learning environment, understand you're paying a premium that isn't reflected in early financial returns. Washington's public universities offer demonstrably stronger immediate outcomes in this field at lower cost.