History at University of West Florida

UWF's History program produces graduates who start at just $27,340—about 10% below Florida's median for history majors and roughly $4,000 behind the national median. While the modest $17,313 in debt is refreshing (most history programs saddle students with $24,000 nationally), the combination of low earnings and Florida's competitive in-state tuition landscape means this program lands squarely in the middle of the state pack, ranking at the 40th percentile among Florida history programs.

The 29% earnings growth to $35,350 by year four is solid and actually outpaces many liberal arts trajectories. However, these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, which means a handful of career outcomes—whether a grad who became a paralegal or one working retail—can dramatically skew the picture. What works in this program's favor is the manageable debt load, resulting in a 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio that won't crush recent graduates during those lean early years.

For families considering this program, the question is whether starting at roughly $2,300 per month pre-tax is workable while your child figures out their career path. The low debt gives them breathing room that history majors at pricier Florida schools don't have, but UWF isn't unlocking notably better career outcomes than staying at home and attending a regional campus. If your child is passionate about history and plans for graduate school or has a clear career strategy, the affordable debt makes this viable—just don't expect the degree alone to open high-paying doors.