WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+9% vs national median217 grads tracked

History at University of Michigan

Ranked 4th of 34 doctoral (research) programs in History by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$68,415
middle 50%: $52,071 – $81,453
Median · 5 years out
$84,347
middle 50%: $69,229 – $101,241
Median · 10 years out
$96,791
middle 50%: $81,091 – $121,451

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for History (doctoral (research)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of University of Michigan's doctoral (research) program in History earn a median $68,415 one year after graduating, rising to $96,791 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 9% above the national median of $77,308 for this field, ranking 4th of 34 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
4.7 yrs
≈ $5,010 total interest

Same major at other universities

State University of New York at Stony Brook
$94,789 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$85,473 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$84,400 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$84,159 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Albany
$82,614 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$79,247 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$79,100 · 5 yrs out
Loyola University Chicago
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$78,475 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Michigan

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$240,526 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$193,286 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$162,338 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,020 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$148,552 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$144,865 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$139,695 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$137,498 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$137,470 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

History
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