History at University of Southern Maine

University of Southern Maine's history program manages something rare: graduates earn more than most history majors nationally while carrying debt levels in the lowest 5th percentile nationwide. With first-year earnings of $36,876—nearly $6,000 above the national median for history degrees—and just $27,000 in debt, graduates face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73. Within Maine, this program performs solidly, ranking in the 60th percentile among state schools and delivering notably higher earnings than the flagship University of Maine's program.

The challenge lies in what happens after graduation. Earnings essentially flatline between years one and four, dropping slightly to $36,574. For a liberal arts degree, this isn't catastrophic—many history graduates pursue teaching credentials or graduate school after gaining initial work experience—but it does mean the financial picture in year one is likely the financial picture in year four. The relatively low debt load makes this static earnings pattern manageable rather than problematic.

For families concerned about humanities degree value, this represents one of the better bets in the Northeast. The combination of below-average debt and above-average starting earnings creates genuine breathing room. Your child won't be house-poor from student loans, and they'll enter the job market ahead of most history graduates nationally. Just understand that career advancement will likely require additional credentials or strategic job changes rather than automatic salary progression.