History at West Virginia University

West Virginia University's History program starts at a remarkably low $24,215 in the first year—landing in just the 5th percentile nationally and 25th percentile among West Virginia history programs. That initial salary is well below both the national median ($31,220) and West Virginia's state median ($29,706) for history graduates. With $22,250 in debt, new graduates face nearly a full year's salary in student loans, making those early years financially challenging.

The compelling part of this story is the dramatic earnings growth: graduates nearly double their income by year four, reaching $45,985. This 90% increase suggests many graduates are finding their footing in careers that value their skills but require time to break into. Still, that strong trajectory can't erase the difficult financial reality of those first few years, when loan payments will consume a substantial portion of take-home pay.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether your child can weather those lean early years—possibly with family support or by living at home. The eventual earnings trajectory shows promise, but this isn't a path to immediate financial independence. Students drawn to history should weigh whether they're prepared for entry-level work that may not utilize their degree directly, or if graduate school (adding more debt) factors into their plans. American Public University System graduates start $11,000 higher in year one, which might be worth exploring for cost-conscious families.