History at Westfield State University

Westfield State's history program starts from a concerning place—graduates earn just $24,879 in their first year, putting them in the bottom quarter of Massachusetts history programs and the bottom 11th percentile nationally. That's $9,000 below the Massachusetts median and $6,000 below the national average. With $25,000 in debt, new graduates face a full year's salary in loans at a time when they're barely clearing $2,000 per month.

The upside is the trajectory: earnings jump 54% to $38,390 by year four, finally surpassing both state and national benchmarks. That growth pattern suggests graduates may be landing in roles that value the degree but require time to break into, or they're pursuing additional credentials to become competitive. Either way, those first few years will be financially tight.

For a family considering this investment, understand that your child will likely struggle financially right after graduation, potentially needing support while working retail or administrative jobs. If they're passionate about history and willing to endure several lean years—perhaps while gaining experience for museum work, education, or public history—the program eventually delivers acceptable returns. But if they need immediate earnings to support themselves, this path will be difficult. At nearby UMass-Boston, history graduates start at $46,908; that $22,000 difference in year-one earnings is worth serious consideration for in-state students with multiple options.