History at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

UW-Whitewater's history program stands out in a field where low earnings are typically the norm. At $40,807 first-year earnings, graduates earn 31% more than the national median for history majors and rank in the 93rd percentile nationally. Within Wisconsin, this program outperforms flagship UW-Madison and every other state school except none—it simply leads the pack by a substantial margin.

The financial picture strengthens the case considerably. With $27,000 in median debt—barely above average—students face a debt load equal to just two-thirds of their first-year salary. That's a manageable burden for a humanities degree, and earnings continue climbing to $48,128 by year four. Compare this to typical history programs where graduates often struggle with $24,000 in debt while earning barely $31,000, and the value becomes clear.

For families worried about employability with a liberal arts degree, these outcomes suggest UW-Whitewater's history students are finding solid career traction. Whether that's through career services, alumni networks, or simply program quality, graduates are converting their degrees into above-average earnings. This isn't the risky proposition many history programs present—it's a surprisingly strong performer delivering tangible economic outcomes while keeping debt reasonable.