Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $27,341/yr fall 15% below the $32,281 national median for History. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
At 8.1x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $25,524 debt-to-$27,341 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #357 out of 389 programs, Grand Valley State University's financial outcomes for History trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $27,341 to $40,634 shows 49% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.