History bachelor's degree outcomes at Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public · Federal field 5401

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings trail the same-degree benchmark.

$7,982 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 56.2% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −110% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+44%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$34,909 → $50,346

—Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

24Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

29Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

54Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$9,235Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

—Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$13,315

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$24,004

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$42,698

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$254/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

Enter my price →

AVERAGE NET PRICE$13,315Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$19,992Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE81.8%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE60.3%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$34,909Year 1

$42,698Year 4

$50,346Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

7.1% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$3,558

Estimated loan payment$254

54borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$42,698 vs. $50,680

$7,982 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Managers, All Other$141,160 median wageNC estimate · 21,830 jobs · 11-9199+4.9% projected U.S. growth · 100.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeHistory Teachers, Postsecondary$75,070 median wageNC estimate · 720 jobs · 25-1125+0.0% projected U.S. growth · 1.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeHistorians$73,440 median wageNC estimate · 120 jobs · 19-3093+3.0% projected U.S. growth · 0.3k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeSecondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$57,650 median wageNC estimate · 28,620 jobs · 25-2031-0.2% projected U.S. growth · 63.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeNatural Sciences Managers$173,870 median wageNC estimate · 6,010 jobs · 11-9121+8.2% projected U.S. growth · 9.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeArchivists$55,370 median wageNC estimate · 130 jobs · 25-4011+3.4% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeCurators$49,470 median wageNC estimate · 600 jobs · 25-4012+4.9% projected U.S. growth · 1.6k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeMuseum Technicians and Conservators$39,290 median wageNC estimate · 450 jobs · 25-4013+3.6% projected U.S. growth · 1.6k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeTour Guides and EscortsNot available median wageU.S. estimate · Unreported jobs · 39-7011

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