Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $26,916/yr fall 17% below the $32,281 national median for History. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.9x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 $18,992 represents roughly 8 months of the $26,916 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #314 of 389 History programs, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $46,076 show a 71% jump from the $26,916 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.