History at Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt's history graduates start at $46,856—50% above the national median and 60% above Tennessee's typical history graduate. While the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes could vary significantly, the numbers suggest Vanderbilt's brand and network deliver tangible advantages even in a traditionally lower-paying field. History majors here out-earn peers from UT-Knoxville by more than $18,000 in their first year, and they're doing it with just $15,000 in debt versus $24,000 nationally.

That debt load matters enormously. At 0.32 times first-year earnings, graduates could realistically pay off their loans within two years if they prioritized it—a far cry from the burden many humanities majors face. The 29% earnings growth to over $60,000 by year four suggests these graduates are finding professional paths rather than languishing in retail or service jobs. Whether that's law school, corporate America, or graduate programs leveraging Vanderbilt's prestige, something is working.

The caveat: with admission at just 6%, your child needs to be an exceptional student to get in, and the small sample means one or two graduates in finance or consulting could be skewing these numbers upward. But if they're admitted and interested in history, this data suggests they won't be trapped by their major choice the way many liberal arts students are elsewhere.