Best colleges for History in District of Columbia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Georgetown University, American University and George Washington University are the top bachelor's History programs in District of Columbia by graduate earnings. Georgetown University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $49,876, College Scorecard. George Washington University, American University and Georgetown University award the most History degrees in District of Columbia: 57, 47 and 45 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 District of Columbia colleges offer History and award 204 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,876 | 45 | 95% | $22,242 | $16,640 |
| 2 | American University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,809 | 47 | 75% | $30,225 | $26,000 |
| 3 | George Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,927 | 57 | 84% | $29,789 | $23,250 |
Colleges awarding the most History degrees in District of Columbia
Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit | 57 | $38,927 |
| 2 | American University Washington Private not-for-profit | 47 | $43,809 |
| 3 | Georgetown University Washington Private not-for-profit | 45 | $49,876 |
| 4 | The Catholic University of America Washington Private not-for-profit | 25 | Not reported |
| 5 | Howard University Washington Private not-for-profit | 25 | Not reported |
| 6 | Gallaudet University Washington Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Historians (SOC 19-3093).
Top skills
What Historians earn in District of Columbia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing History programs in District of Columbia.
Which District of Columbia colleges award the most History degrees?+
George Washington University (57 graduates a year), American University (47 graduates a year) and Georgetown University (45 graduates a year) award the most History degrees in District of Columbia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 District of Columbia colleges offer History.
What is the best college for History in District of Columbia?+
By graduate earnings, Georgetown University leads among bachelor's History programs in District of Columbia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $49,876, College Scorecard. American University and George Washington University follow. By degrees awarded, George Washington University is the largest, with 57 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which History program in District of Columbia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Georgetown University tops the list at $49,876. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Historians earn in District of Columbia?+
The average annual wage for Historians in District of Columbia is $113,140 (median $118,290), across about 250 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
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).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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