Best colleges for History in Missouri
Ranked by graduate earnings
Columbia College, Missouri State University - Springfield and University of Missouri-St Louis are the top bachelor's History programs in Missouri by graduate earnings. Columbia College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $40,054, College Scorecard. University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri State University - Springfield and University of Missouri-St Louis award the most History degrees in Missouri: 62, 52 and 37 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 33 Missouri colleges offer History and award 395 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 | Columbia College Columbia Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,054 | 25 | 42% | $23,247 | $29,700 |
| 2 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,941 | 52 | 58% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,851 | 37 | 57% | — | $28,738 |
| 4 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,996 | 62 | 75% | — | $21,250 |
| 5 | University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,289 | 22 | 55% | — | $25,445 |
| 6 | Truman State University Kirksville Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $25,010 | 15 | 69% | — | $21,125 |
Colleges awarding the most History degrees in Missouri
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 Missouri-Columbia Columbia Public | 62 | $26,996 |
| 2 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public | 52 | $27,941 |
| 3 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public | 37 | $27,851 |
| 4 | Columbia College Columbia Private not-for-profit | 25 | $40,054 |
| 5 | University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City Public | 22 | $24,289 |
| 6 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis Private not-for-profit | 21 | Not reported |
| 7 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 8 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 20 | Not reported |
| 9 | Park University Parkville Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 10 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 23 Missouri colleges offering History
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truman State University | Kirksville | Public | 15 |
| Lindenwood University | Saint Charles | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg | Public | 11 |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau | Public | 11 |
| Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville | Public | 6 |
| College of the Ozarks | Point Lookout | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Culver-Stockton College | Canton | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Avila University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Cottey College | Nevada | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Evangel University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Missouri Baptist University | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Rockhurst University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Southwest Baptist University | Bolivar | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Webster University | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| William Jewell College | Liberty | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Missouri Southern State University | Joplin | Public | 2 |
| Missouri Valley College | Marshall | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Westminster College | Fulton | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Drury University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Hannibal-LaGrange University | Hannibal | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Lincoln University | Jefferson City | Public | 1 |
| Missouri Western State University | Saint Joseph | Public | 1 |
| Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Historians (SOC 19-3093).
Top skills
What Historians earn in Missouri
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing History programs in Missouri.
Which Missouri colleges award the most History degrees?+
University of Missouri-Columbia (62 graduates a year), Missouri State University - Springfield (52 graduates a year) and University of Missouri-St Louis (37 graduates a year) award the most History degrees in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 33 Missouri colleges offer History.
What is the best college for History in Missouri?+
By graduate earnings, Columbia College leads among bachelor's History programs in Missouri, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $40,054, College Scorecard. Missouri State University - Springfield and University of Missouri-St Louis follow. By degrees awarded, University of Missouri-Columbia is the largest, with 62 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which History program in Missouri has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Columbia College tops the list at $40,054. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Historians earn in Missouri?+
The average annual wage for Historians in Missouri is $70,360 (median $64,230), 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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