Best colleges for History in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
Iowa State University, University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa are the top bachelor's History programs in Iowa by graduate earnings. Iowa State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $41,294, College Scorecard. University of Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa award the most History degrees in Iowa: 70, 55 and 38 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 31 Iowa colleges offer History and award 299 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 4 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 | Iowa State University Ames Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,294 | 55 | 75% | — | $26,007 |
| 2 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,117 | 70 | 75% | — | $25,978 |
| 3 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,569 | 38 | 68% | — | $21,776 |
| 4 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $39,687 | 15 | 88% | $14,470 | $17,500 |
Colleges awarding the most History degrees in Iowa
Top 10 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 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public | 70 | $33,117 |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames Public | 55 | $41,294 |
| 3 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public | 38 | $27,569 |
| 4 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit | 15 | $39,687 |
| 5 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 6 | Cornell College Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 7 | Loras College Dubuque Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 8 | Coe College Cedar Rapids Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 9 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | Luther College Decorah Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 21 Iowa colleges offering History
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simpson College | Indianola | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Central College | Pella | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Wartburg College | Waverly | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Buena Vista University | Storm Lake | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Dordt University | Sioux Center | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Grand View University | Des Moines | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Waldorf University | Forest City | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport | Public | 3 |
| Morningside University | Sioux City | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| William Penn University | Oskaloosa | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Graceland University - Lamoni | Lamoni | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Northwestern College | Orange City | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar | Public | 2 |
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls | Public | 1 |
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo | Public | 1 |
| Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa | Public | 1 |
| Southeastern Community College | West Burlington | Public | 1 |
| Southwestern Community College | Creston | Public | 1 |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Historians (SOC 19-3093).
Top skills
What Historians earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing History programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most History degrees?+
University of Iowa (70 graduates a year), Iowa State University (55 graduates a year) and University of Northern Iowa (38 graduates a year) award the most History degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 31 Iowa colleges offer History.
What is the best college for History in Iowa?+
By graduate earnings, Iowa State University leads among bachelor's History programs in Iowa, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $41,294, College Scorecard. University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa follow. By degrees awarded, University of Iowa is the largest, with 70 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which History program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Iowa State University tops the list at $41,294. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
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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