History at Vassar College

Vassar's history program produces graduates earning well above both national and state expectations—$38,461 puts them in the 80th percentile among New York history programs—though parents should note this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making it less statistically reliable than larger programs. Still, the pattern is encouraging: these graduates out-earn the typical New York history BA by $8,000 annually and the national median by $7,000. Combined with below-average debt of $19,000 (about $5,000 less than typical history graduates carry), the financial picture looks manageable, with a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5.

The caveat here isn't the numbers themselves but their reliability. Small sample sizes can swing wildly year to year—one cohort landing consulting jobs versus another pursuing graduate school could completely change these figures. What's more stable is Vassar's institutional profile: highly selective (18% admission rate), strong academic preparation (1513 SAT average), and the kind of alumni networks that tend to help liberal arts graduates land their footing in competitive job markets.

For a family comfortable with the inherent uncertainty of liberal arts outcomes, this represents solid performance for a history degree. The debt level won't trap your child, and Vassar graduates historically access opportunities that justify the investment. Just recognize you're betting on the institution's broader track record more than this specific dataset.