Compare 13 History. programs in Tennessee. Average earnings: $38,072.
With top graduates earning $60,522, History stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $22K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Vanderbilt University's History program leads with graduates earning $60,522, well above Tennessee's $38,072 average. The University of the South follows at $49,165, while UT-Knoxville delivers $41,303. This $39K spread across top programs shows that outcomes track program strength, not just school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Vanderbilt graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 5.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making the premium program surprisingly affordable.
Highest program earnings: $60,522
Strong outcomes with 51% acceptance
5.1% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
17.9% family burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $60,522 | 50 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Manageable |
| #2 | The University Of The SouthPrivate | $49,165 | 29 | $22,855 | Good | $56,450 | High |
| #3 | $41,303 | 75 | $20,500 | Manageable | $30,610 | High | |
| #4 | University Of MemphisPublic | $40,908 | 60 | $23,300 | Manageable | $15,393 | High |
| #5 | $39,719 | 21 | $19,500 | Manageable | $17,353 | High | |
| #6 | Lee UniversityPrivate | $39,716 | 17 | $25,750 | Challenging | $24,000 | High |
| #7 | $39,052 | 29 | $20,547 | Manageable | $14,710 | High | |
| #8 | $36,943 | 46 | $20,000 | Challenging | $14,229 | High | |
| #9 | $36,929 | 36 | $19,442 | Challenging | $16,938 | High | |
| #10 | $34,200 | 24 | $15,650 | Challenging | $11,640 | High | |
| #11 | Rhodes CollegePrivate | $29,685 | 30 | $21,761 | High | $52,509 | High |
| #12 | $25,281 | 11 | $21,024 | High | $13,218 | High | |
| #13 | Lipscomb UniversityPrivate | $21,508 | 6 | $19,500 | High | $30,298 | 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 →
