Illinois · History

Best History institutions in Illinois, 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
43
offering CIP 54.01
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
823
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$33,297
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
13
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,052
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
60%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Historians
$97,660
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
1Northwestern University
Evanston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$50,1614495%$14,799$15,917
2University of Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$46,6167596%$13,333
3Illinois State University
Normal Public · Bachelor's degree
$40,46511865%$23,125
4Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,102922%$19,176
5DePaul University
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,8893068%$28,141$27,000
6University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,2972153%$23,892
7Northern Illinois University
Dekalb Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,2885149%$22,500
8Eastern Illinois University
Charleston Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,1493647%$21,500
9Loyola University Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$31,0795373%$33,454$24,000
10Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree
$30,1011862%$25,937

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 Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
30
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$97,660
median $92,020
Best-paying metro

Related careers

History Teachers, Postsecondary
$90,260 avg · 630 jobs
Museum Technicians and Conservators
$50,140 avg · 570 jobs
Curators
$68,530 avg · 570 jobs
Archivists
$71,770 avg · 150 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing History programs in Illinois.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Northwestern University tops the list at $50,161. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Historians earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Historians in Illinois is $97,660 (median $92,020), across about 30 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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