California · History

Best History institutions in California, ranked by earnings

The History program offers students a comprehensive understanding of past events, societies, and cultures. It is designed for individuals interested in exploring various historical contexts, from American and European history to military…

Institutions
175
offering CIP 54.01
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
4,813
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$32,596
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
31
College Scorecard
Median net price
$26,727
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
49%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Historians
$88,730
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Ashford University
San Diego Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$46,5812111%$26,445$40,750
2San Diego State University
San Diego Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,20310576%$13,881
3California State University - Northridge
Northridge Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,0317957%$15,000
4University of Southern California
Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,8769292%$26,873$12,638
5University of California - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,0819875%$18,279
6California State University - Sacramento
Sacramento Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,59615356%$18,000
7California State University - Stanislaus
Turlock Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,1845553%$11,656
8Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,9924058%$16,304
9University of California - Davis
Davis Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,89511286%$14,593
10California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,5406986%$17,627

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Historians (SOC 19-3093).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.2%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~300
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$74,050
typically Master's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive ListeningActive Learning

What Historians earn in California

Jobs in California
180
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$88,730
median $83,360
Best-paying metro
$92,760
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA

Related careers

Museum Technicians and Conservators
$60,950 avg · 1,790 jobs
History Teachers, Postsecondary
$130,670 avg · 1,680 jobs
Curators
$86,440 avg · 1,180 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing History programs in California.

Which History program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Ashford University tops the list at $46,581. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Historians earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Historians in California is $88,730 (median $83,360), across about 180 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the History program?+

The History program offers students a comprehensive understanding of past events, societies, and cultures. It is designed for individuals interested in exploring various historical contexts, from American and European history to military…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Historians?+

The national job outlook is about +2.2% growth with around 300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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