Compare 88 History. programs in the West. Average earnings: $41,187.
History programs produce graduates earning between $47,393 and $59,624—a $12K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 88 ranked programs in the West, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
University of Southern California's History program leads with graduates earning $59,624, followed closely by Pacific Lutheran University at $59,093. The average across all programs is $41,187, yet these top performers show that strong outcomes aren't limited to highly selective institutions—Pacific Lutheran admits over 80% of applicants while delivering near-top earnings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Brigham Young University graduates borrow $11,069 and face just a 4.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, BYU also leads with a 9.4% family burden—proof that the best value comes from managing total debt load.
Highest program earnings: $59,624
Strong outcomes ($59,093) with 81% acceptance
4.7% payment burden | Excellent
9.4% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $59,624 | 64 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityPrivate | $59,093 | 18 | $22,578 | Good | $25,000 | Challenging |
| #3 | $57,191 | 73 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $56,461 | 119 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Gonzaga UniversityPrivate | $55,810 | 23 | $24,454 | Good | $37,652 | High |
| #6 | $55,338 | 27 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,988 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $54,987 | 89 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Good |
| #8 | $53,086 | 78 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $53,071 | 64 | $18,500 | Good | $35,000 | High | |
| #10 | Azusa Pacific UniversityPrivate | $51,687 | 11 | $23,219 | Good | $26,000 | High |
| #11 | $51,631 | 30 | $20,210 | Good | $15,360 | Manageable | |
| #12 | Nevada State UniversityPublic | $50,149 | 22 | $19,691 | Good | $12,146 | Manageable |
| #13 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $50,046 | 62 | $21,221 | Good | $28,923 | High |
| #14 | $49,855 | 111 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Manageable | |
| #15 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | $49,631 | 23 | $23,000 | Good | $44,413 | High |
| #16 | $49,366 | 71 | $19,500 | Good | $29,968 | High | |
| #17 | $48,919 | 90 | $15,500 | Good | $24,257 | Challenging | |
| #18 | $47,888 | 328 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Challenging | |
| #19 | $47,845 | 130 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $47,393 | 54 | $15,000 | Good | $22,033 | Challenging | |
| #21 | University Of UtahPublic | $47,392 | 62 | $19,000 | Good | $18,886 | Challenging |
| #22 | $47,117 | 174 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Challenging | |
| #23 | $46,913 | 36 | $16,544 | Good | $15,738 | Challenging | |
| #24 | $46,599 | 78 | $17,350 | Good | $18,031 | Challenging | |
| #25 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $46,073 | 61 | $16,705 | Good | $27,986 | 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 →
