Bachelor's-6% vs national median464 grads tracked
History at Western Illinois University
Ranked 172nd of 354 bachelor's programs in History by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$32,011
middle 50%: $24,057 – $42,146
Median · 5 years out
$51,095
middle 50%: $37,294 – $63,862
Median · 10 years out
$61,427
middle 50%: $46,207 – $82,694
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for History (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Graduates of Western Illinois University's bachelor's program in History earn a median $32,011 one year after graduating, rising to $61,427 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 6% below the national median of $54,304 for this field, ranking 172nd of 354 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
8.5 yrs
≈ $10,242 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Northern Iowa
$51,390 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Tyler
$51,380 · 5 yrs out
Gordon State College
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Clayton State University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$51,184 · 5 yrs out
Truman State University
$51,181 · 5 yrs out
Georgia College & State University
$51,052 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
$51,004 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$51,002 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southwestern State University
$50,949 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Mennonite University
$50,919 · 5 yrs out
Virginia State University
$50,849 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Illinois University
Education (Doctorate)
$163,593 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$107,538 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$98,269 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Master's)
$97,417 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$97,160 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,133 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$96,422 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$84,414 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$82,090 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$82,014 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Bachelor's)
$81,320 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$80,729 · 5 yrs out