Best colleges for History in Kentucky
Ranked by graduate earnings
Northern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University are the top bachelor's History programs in Kentucky by graduate earnings. Northern Kentucky University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,619, College Scorecard. University of Kentucky, Northern Kentucky University and University of Louisville award the most History degrees in Kentucky: 50, 43 and 38 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 22 Kentucky colleges offer History and award 278 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 6 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 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,619 | 43 | 52% | — | $30,375 |
| 2 | University of Kentucky Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,432 | 50 | 71% | — | $20,500 |
| 3 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,177 | 29 | 56% | — | $22,965 |
| 4 | University of Louisville Louisville Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,047 | 38 | 61% | — | $23,312 |
| 5 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,346 | 18 | 50% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | Murray State University Murray Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,831 | 15 | 61% | — | $25,500 |
Colleges awarding the most History degrees in Kentucky
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 Kentucky Lexington Public | 50 | $28,432 |
| 2 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights Public | 43 | $29,619 |
| 3 | University of Louisville Louisville Public | 38 | $22,047 |
| 4 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green Public | 29 | $27,177 |
| 5 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond Public | 18 | $29,346 |
| 6 | Murray State University Murray Public | 15 | $27,831 |
| 7 | Morehead State University Morehead Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 8 | Berea College Berea Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | Bellarmine University Louisville Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 12 Kentucky colleges offering History
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre College | Danville | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Georgetown College | Georgetown | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Lindsey Wilson University | Columbia | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| University of Pikeville | Pikeville | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Transylvania University | Lexington | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Asbury University | Wilmore | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Kentucky Wesleyan College | Owensboro | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Alice Lloyd College | Pippa Passes | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Campbellsville University | Campbellsville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Kentucky Christian University | Grayson | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Thomas More University | Crestview Hills | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Historians (SOC 19-3093).
Top skills
What Historians earn in Kentucky
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing History programs in Kentucky.
Which Kentucky colleges award the most History degrees?+
University of Kentucky (50 graduates a year), Northern Kentucky University (43 graduates a year) and University of Louisville (38 graduates a year) award the most History degrees in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 22 Kentucky colleges offer History.
What is the best college for History in Kentucky?+
By graduate earnings, Northern Kentucky University leads among bachelor's History programs in Kentucky, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,619, College Scorecard. University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Kentucky is the largest, with 50 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which History program in Kentucky has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Northern Kentucky University tops the list at $29,619. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Historians earn in Kentucky?+
The average annual wage for Historians in Kentucky is $64,840 (median $63,530), across about 50 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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