History at University of Southern Indiana

University of Southern Indiana's history graduates start strong with first-year earnings of $40,692—outperforming 93% of history programs nationally and beating the national median by nearly $10,000. That's competitive with Notre Dame and Wabash College graduates, despite USI's 95% admission rate and more accessible student body. However, the unusual trajectory matters: by year four, earnings drop to $37,359, reversing the typical career progression pattern.

The debt load of $21,629 keeps this program financially viable despite the earnings decline. That's about $2,000 less than both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 that most humanities graduates would envy. Even with the backward trajectory, graduates aren't saddled with crushing debt relative to their income. Within Indiana, the program sits solidly in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile—respectable given the state's mix of elite and regional universities.

The earnings drop deserves scrutiny. It could reflect graduates pivoting to graduate school, nonprofit work, or other paths that temporarily depress income but offer long-term value. For a history major, the program delivers relatively strong immediate outcomes at a reasonable price, which may matter more than uncertain four-year projections. The moderate sample size suggests these numbers are reasonably reliable but could shift with different cohorts.