History at University of Utah

A University of Utah history degree starts rough but rebounds impressively. That $28,277 first-year salary sits well below both the national figure ($31,220) and Utah's median ($31,768)—ranking in just the 29th percentile nationally and 40th within Utah. Graduates also carry $22,250 in debt, about $3,000 more than typical for Utah history programs. But here's what matters: by year four, earnings nearly double to $47,392, representing 68% growth that significantly outpaces what most humanities degrees achieve in the same timeframe.

The real question is whether your family can weather those difficult early years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79 means first-year graduates owe roughly nine months of their gross income—manageable if they have family support or minimal living expenses, potentially crushing if they're financially independent. BYU history grads start at $38,643, a $10,000 advantage that might justify exploring that option if your child is competitive for admission there.

The trajectory here tells a story about delayed career development—perhaps graduates need time to find roles where a liberal arts degree pays off, or they're pursuing additional credentials. If your student plans graduate school anyway or has realistic expectations about entry-level earnings, the strong mid-career growth is encouraging. But families expecting immediate financial independence should prepare for a challenging transition period.