Master's+7% vs national median185 grads tracked
History at Illinois State University
Ranked 43rd of 136 master's programs in History by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$47,990
middle 50%: $29,747 – $68,626
Median · 5 years out
$62,360
middle 50%: $44,737 – $82,142
Median · 10 years out
$72,585
middle 50%: $53,578 – $95,918
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for History (master's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Graduates of Illinois State University's master's program in History earn a median $47,990 one year after graduating, rising to $72,585 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% above the national median of $58,413 for this field, ranking 43rd of 136 reporting programs.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
6.5 yrs
≈ $7,312 total interest
Same major at other universities
Liberty University
$65,353 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Commerce
$64,085 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$64,005 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Arlington
$63,750 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$63,270 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Stephen F Austin State University
$62,224 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Denver
$62,007 · 5 yrs out
Winthrop University
$61,969 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$61,630 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
$61,545 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$61,332 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Illinois State University
Education (Doctorate)
$110,151 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$100,616 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$94,916 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$93,908 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$92,435 · 5 yrs out
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's)
$91,685 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$91,592 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$89,527 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$88,197 · 5 yrs out
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctorate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out