Best institutions to study Historic Preservation and Conservation
Compare 68 U.S. colleges offering Historic Preservation and Conservation by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 34 states.
Historic Preservation and Conservation programs report a median of $35,326 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 30.12 and the Historians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Historic Preservation and Conservation programs
The Historic Preservation and Conservation program focuses on preserving, conserving, and protecting buildings, landscapes, and artifacts of historical significance. This interdisciplinary field combines elements of history, archaeology, and sociology to ensure that our cultural heritage is maintained for future generations. It is ideal for students passionate about history and dedicated to safeguarding the built environment.
Students in this program will develop essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and research methodologies. Coursework typically includes gathering and analyzing historical data, preparing publications, and conducting research related to the conservation of historic places and materials.
Top 1 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College of Charleston Charleston, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,326 | 13 | 66% | — | $22,375 |
Offered across 34 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolinalimited | 2 | $35,326 | College of Charleston |
| Alabamalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 4 | — | — |
| Colorado | 3 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Delawarelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Georgia | 3 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indiana | 4 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 2 | — | — |
| Montanalimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 2 | — | — |
| New York | 5 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Ohio | 4 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texas | 3 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3093, Historians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Historic Preservation and Conservation program can pursue careers in various fields, including cultural resource management and policy analysis. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.2% and approximately 300 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $74,050, with a typical requirement of a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Historic Preservation and Conservation
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.12.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.12 (Historic Preservation and Conservation) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-3013 | Facilities Managers |
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 19-3093 | Historiansprimary |
| 25-1062 | Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
| 25-4011 | Archivists |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Historic Preservation and Conservation programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
- Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
- Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
- Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as via storage media or the Internet.
- Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
- Conserve and preserve manuscripts, records, and other artifacts.
Concentrations within Historic Preservation and Conservation
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Historic Preservation and Conservation, GeneralCIP 30.1201
A program that focuses on the design and implementation of plans to restore and maintain historic buildings, districts, and landscapes in a way that balances conservation and preservation with commerc
- Cultural Resource Management and Policy AnalysisCIP 30.1202
A program that focuses on the application of cultural studies, public policy analysis, and management skills to planning, promoting, and implementing programs to preserve and protect cultural heritage
- Historic Preservation and Conservation, OtherCIP 30.1299
Any instructional program that focuses on architectural design and building techniques for historic and restored structures not listed above.
Common questions
What is Historic Preservation and Conservation?+
It is a field focused on preserving and protecting historically significant buildings, landscapes, and artifacts.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in research, critical thinking, writing, and data analysis.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.2% and 300 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
Most positions in this field require a master's degree.
How much do Historic Preservation and Conservation graduates earn?+
Historic Preservation and Conservation graduates report median earnings of $35,326 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Historians occupation pays about $81,240 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Historic Preservation and Conservation?+
Historic Preservation and Conservation maps to CIP 30.12 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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