History at University of Wyoming

University of Wyoming's History program outperforms most history degrees nationwide while keeping debt remarkably low. Graduates earn $35,450 in their first year—beating the national median for history majors by $4,230 and landing in the 73rd percentile nationally. More importantly, they carry just $18,209 in debt, well below the $24,000 national median for history programs. That 0.51 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly half their first year's salary, a manageable burden that gives them flexibility after graduation.

The earnings trajectory looks solid, with pay climbing 25% to $44,301 by year four. While these aren't engineering-level salaries, they're strong for humanities degrees and reflect Wyoming's cost of living advantage. The only limitation: as the state's sole history program, you can't comparison shop within Wyoming, though the open admission (97%) means accessibility isn't an issue.

For families worried about their child graduating with a humanities degree and crushing debt, this program offers reassurance. The combination of below-average borrowing and above-average earnings creates breathing room for graduates to pursue teaching, public history, law school, or other paths without immediate financial pressure. It's a straightforward value proposition for students committed to history.