Compare 30 History. programs in Massachusetts. Average earnings: $48,571.
History programs produce graduates earning between $41,834 and $114,276—a $72K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 30 ranked programs in Massachusetts, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Amherst College's History program leads with graduates earning $114,276, nearly double the state average of $48,571. Harvard follows at $89,238, while Williams College rounds out the top three at $72,283. The data reveals that even among prestigious institutions, program-level factors create substantial variation in outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Amherst graduates borrow $13,740 and face just a 2.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Harvard offers the best family value with a 9.5% combined burden when parent loans are included, proving that top programs can also be affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Amherst CollegePrivate | $114,276 | 33 | $13,740 | Excellent | $47,598 | Good |
| #2 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | $89,238 | 145 | $14,000 | Excellent | $28,000 | Good |
| #3 | Williams CollegePrivate | $72,283 | 39 | $12,761 | Excellent | $31,178 | Manageable |
| #4 | College Of The Holy CrossPrivate | $65,505 | 39 | $27,000 | Good | $39,032 | Challenging |
| #5 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $59,299 | 20 | $24,250 | Good | $34,984 | Challenging |
| #6 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $57,175 | 33 | $25,648 | Good | $35,451 | High |
| #7 | Boston CollegePrivate | $55,258 | 62 | $19,000 | Excellent | $45,000 | High |
| #8 | Stonehill CollegePrivate | $53,136 | 5 | $25,000 | Good | $58,576 | High |
| #9 | Smith CollegePrivate | $50,418 | 24 | $17,550 | Good | $30,366 | High |
| #10 | $49,949 | 75 | $22,763 | Good | $26,243 | High | |
| #11 | $49,376 | 31 | $25,000 | Manageable | $22,757 | High | |
| #12 | $48,075 | 35 | $19,500 | Good | $17,518 | Challenging | |
| #13 | Suffolk UniversityPrivate | $47,944 | 28 | $26,889 | Manageable | $38,234 | High |
| #14 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $47,852 | 42 | $23,250 | Manageable | $39,000 | High |
| #15 | Salem State UniversityPublic | $46,900 | 39 | $25,000 | Manageable | $21,128 | High |
| #16 | $43,311 | 36 | $21,974 | Manageable | $17,163 | High | |
| #17 | $42,508 | 24 | $23,704 | Manageable | $18,400 | High | |
| #18 | Assumption UniversityPrivate | $42,289 | 13 | $27,000 | Challenging | $45,926 | High |
| #19 | Wellesley CollegePrivate | $41,937 | 20 | $10,000 | Excellent | $38,825 | High |
| #20 | $41,834 | 60 | $24,286 | Manageable | $18,070 | High | |
| #21 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $39,369 | 43 | $16,250 | Manageable | $38,325 | High |
| #22 | $38,402 | 11 | $23,750 | Challenging | $15,000 | High | |
| #23 | $38,390 | 23 | $22,457 | Challenging | $18,544 | High | |
| #24 | Gordon CollegePrivate | $36,853 | 15 | $26,250 | High | $43,838 | High |
| #25 | $36,134 | 20 | $26,000 | High | $58,410 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
