Best colleges for History in Oregon
Ranked by graduate earnings
Oregon State University, University of Oregon and Portland State University are the top bachelor's History programs in Oregon by graduate earnings. Oregon State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,589, College Scorecard. Oregon State University, University of Oregon and Portland State University award the most History degrees in Oregon: 80, 73 and 59 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Oregon colleges offer History and award 334 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 5 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 | Oregon State University Corvallis Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,589 | 80 | 70% | — | $24,332 |
| 2 | University of Oregon Eugene Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,571 | 73 | 72% | — | $18,675 |
| 3 | Portland State University Portland Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,612 | 59 | 53% | — | $31,000 |
| 4 | Southern Oregon University Ashland Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,067 | 11 | 43% | — | $21,500 |
| 5 | Willamette University Salem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $22,555 | 7 | 71% | $20,345 | $18,750 |
Colleges awarding the most History degrees in Oregon
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 | Oregon State University Corvallis Public | 80 | $34,589 |
| 2 | University of Oregon Eugene Public | 73 | $25,571 |
| 3 | Portland State University Portland Public | 59 | $24,612 |
| 4 | Eastern Oregon University La Grande Public | 24 | Not reported |
| 5 | Lewis & Clark College Portland Private not-for-profit | 23 | Not reported |
| 6 | Reed College Portland Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Portland Portland Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 8 | Southern Oregon University Ashland Public | 11 | $28,067 |
| 9 | Linfield University McMinnville Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 10 | Willamette University Salem Private not-for-profit | 7 | $22,555 |
ShowHide the other 5 Oregon colleges offering History
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Oregon University | Monmouth | Public | 7 |
| George Fox University | Newberg | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Pacific University | Forest Grove | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Linn-Benton Community College | Albany | Public | 2 |
| Bushnell University | Eugene | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Historians (SOC 19-3093).
Top skills
What Historians earn in Oregon
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing History programs in Oregon.
Which Oregon colleges award the most History degrees?+
Oregon State University (80 graduates a year), University of Oregon (73 graduates a year) and Portland State University (59 graduates a year) award the most History degrees in Oregon, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Oregon colleges offer History.
What is the best college for History in Oregon?+
By graduate earnings, Oregon State University leads among bachelor's History programs in Oregon, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,589, College Scorecard. University of Oregon and Portland State University follow. By degrees awarded, Oregon State University is the largest, with 80 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which History program in Oregon has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Oregon State University tops the list at $34,589. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Historians earn in Oregon?+
The average annual wage for Historians in Oregon is $96,360 (median $99,560), across about 40 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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