Best colleges for History
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for History by graduate earnings are Dartmouth College ($61,127), Duke University ($60,750) and University of Houston-Clear Lake ($57,239), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH): $61,127, 57 graduates a year
- Duke University (Durham, NC): $60,750, 38 graduates a year
- University of Houston-Clear Lake (Houston, TX): $57,239, 46 graduates a year
- Amherst College (Amherst, MA): $56,444, 25 graduates a year
- Yale University (New Haven, CT): $54,700, 192 graduates a year
Compare 1,344 U.S. colleges offering History by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 53 states.
History programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,526 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 54.01 and the Historians occupation (BLS SOC).
About History programs
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 and Asian history. This program is ideal for those who enjoy critical analysis and wish to engage with the complexities of historical narratives.
Students in the History program develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective writing. Coursework typically covers a range of topics, including the history and archaeology of different cultures, as well as methodologies for conducting historical research and analysis.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,127 | 57 | 96% | $14,689 | $19,000 |
| 2 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $60,750 | 38 | 97% | $16,260 | $13,000 |
| 3 | University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,239 | 46 | 52% | — | $22,625 |
| 4 | Amherst College Amherst, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,444 | 25 | 94% | $16,081 | — |
| 5 | Yale University New Haven, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,700 | 192 | 96% | $27,025 | $12,000 |
| 6 | Columbia University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,828 | 178 | 96% | $15,315 | $22,000 |
| 7 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,468 | 237 | 98% | $15,013 | $12,721 |
| 8 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,161 | 66 | 95% | $14,799 | $15,917 |
| 9 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,876 | 45 | 95% | $22,242 | $16,640 |
| 10 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,555 | 66 | 97% | $22,055 | $11,000 |
| 11 | Barnard College New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,092 | 41 | 93% | $24,675 | $16,425 |
| 12 | University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,908 | 40 | 49% | — | $24,862 |
| 13 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,856 | 40 | 94% | $14,854 | $15,000 |
| 14 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,616 | 71 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 15 | Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,184 | 28 | 55% | — | $21,635 |
| 16 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,363 | 128 | 98% | $13,729 | — |
| 17 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,806 | 83 | 54% | — | $24,875 |
| 18 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,706 | 36 | 95% | $17,613 | $16,884 |
| 19 | CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,874 | 23 | 51% | — | $15,090 |
| 20 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,809 | 47 | 75% | $30,225 | $26,000 |
| 21 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,596 | 166 | 43% | $21,535 | $32,237 |
| 22 | Hampden-Sydney College Hampden-Sydney, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,949 | 25 | 62% | $21,034 | $27,000 |
| 23 | Norwich University Northfield, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,940 | 47 | 60% | $23,982 | $27,000 |
| 24 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,899 | 153 | 84% | — | $20,410 |
| 25 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,785 | 58 | 32% | — | $34,125 |
Specializations within History
7 of the 9 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 54.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- HistoryCIP 54.010126,654 graduates / yr1,333 institutions53 states
- Public/CIP 54.0105
Applied History 892 graduates / yr51 institutions27 states - HistoryCIP 54.0199542 graduates / yr44 institutions25 states
- Military HistoryCIP 54.0108287 graduates / yr11 institutions10 states
- American History (United States)CIP 54.0102partial data268 graduates / yr6 institutions6 states
- History and Philosophy of Science and TechnologyCIP 54.0104207 graduates / yr19 institutions18 states
- European HistoryCIP 54.0103partial data9 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
Show all 9 codes (2 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Asian History54.0106
- Canadian History54.0107
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 53 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3093, Historians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the History program can pursue various careers, with an outlook that is about as fast as average. The field is expected to see approximately 300 annual openings, with a median wage of $74,050. A typical requirement for advancement in this field is a Master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for History
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 54.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 54.01 (History) maps to 9 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 19-3093 | Historiansprimary |
| 25-1125 | History Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 25-4011 | Archivists |
| 25-4012 | Curators |
| 25-4013 | Museum Technicians and Conservators |
| 39-7011 | Tour Guides and Escorts |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in History 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.
Common questions
What specializations are available in the History program?+
Specializations include American History, European History, Military History, Asian History, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing, and research.
What is the job outlook for History graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 300 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required for careers in this field?+
A Master's degree is typically required for advancement in history-related careers.
How much do History graduates earn?+
History graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,526, College Scorecard (2019); the Historians occupation pays about $81,240 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for History?+
History maps to CIP 54.01 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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