History at Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky's history program starts rough but tells an uncommon story: graduates who earn just $27,177 in their first year see a 40% jump to $38,121 by year four. While early earnings trail the national median by about $4,000, that growth trajectory eventually pushes graduates above what most Kentucky history programs deliver. At 40th percentile statewide, this program sits squarely in the middle of Kentucky options—not as strong as Northern Kentucky or Eastern Kentucky, but notably ahead of Louisville's struggling history program.

The $22,965 debt load works in students' favor here. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.85, graduates face less than a year's first-year salary in debt—manageable even during those lean early years. The real question is what drives that earnings growth: are graduates finding better-paying roles after a few years of experience, or are early graduates working part-time while pursuing additional education? Either way, the moderate sample size suggests these numbers reflect real patterns, not statistical noise.

For families looking at affordable Kentucky options, Western Kentucky offers reasonable value if your child can weather the financially tight first years after graduation. The combination of below-average debt and solid earning momentum makes this a safer bet than it initially appears, particularly compared to pricier in-state alternatives that deliver similar or worse outcomes.