Master's-14% vs national median101 grads tracked
History at Western Illinois University
Ranked 120th of 136 master's programs in History by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$35,899
middle 50%: $27,323 – $52,419
Median · 5 years out
$50,311
middle 50%: $36,466 – $63,610
Median · 10 years out
$64,226
middle 50%: $40,342 – $83,557
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 Western Illinois University's master's program in History earn a median $35,899 one year after graduating, rising to $64,226 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% below the national median of $58,413 for this field, ranking 120th 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
8.3 yrs
≈ $9,762 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Missouri - Saint Louis
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Texas Woman's University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$51,062 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$50,831 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$50,676 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Buffalo State University
$50,539 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$50,311 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Monroe
$50,227 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
$49,399 · 5 yrs out
Appalachian State University
$48,715 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$48,487 · 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