Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $24,172/yr fall 25% below the $32,281 national median for History. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI History programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in History's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $25,062 against $24,172/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.0 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #353 of 389 History programs, Coastal Carolina University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $44,119 show a 83% jump from the $24,172 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.