History at Western Colorado University

Similar history programs across Colorado suggest first-year earnings around $36,900 against roughly $23,750 in debt—a manageable 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio that compares favorably to the national picture. While we're working with estimates here (Western Colorado's actual graduate outcomes weren't reported due to small sample sizes), these peer program figures place this somewhere in the middle of Colorado's history offerings, well above the national median of $31,200.

The estimated debt load is actually slightly below the national typical burden for history degrees, which matters given that humanities fields rarely produce dramatic salary growth in early career years. Colorado's history programs cluster fairly tightly—ranging from roughly $36,800 to $42,800 in that first year—suggesting the local job market treats these degrees relatively equally regardless of institutional prestige. Western Colorado's 97% admission rate and lower average SAT scores don't appear to significantly disadvantage graduates in a field where geographic location and networking often matter more than selectivity.

For an anxious parent, the practical takeaway is this: if your child is committed to history, these estimated figures suggest a reasonable financial foundation—manageable debt that they could feasibly tackle on a typical Colorado history graduate's salary. Just recognize you're making this decision with less certainty than you'd have with larger programs that produce reportable outcomes data.