Best institutions to study History and Political Science
Compare 21 U.S. colleges offering History and Political Science by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 19 states.
About History and Political Science programs
The History and Political Science program offers students an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complexities of political power and its historical context. This program is ideal for those interested in exploring the relationships between historical events and political systems, providing a comprehensive foundation for analyzing contemporary issues.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as critical thinking, reading comprehension, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes subjects related to law, government, history, and communications, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to engage thoughtfully with political and historical discourse.
Top 21 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
Offered across 19 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizonalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Yorklimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| West Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3094, Political Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the History and Political Science program can pursue various careers, often requiring a master's degree. While the job outlook shows a decline of 3.1%, there are approximately 500 annual openings, with a median wage of $139,380 for positions in this field.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for History and Political Science
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.46.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.46 (History and Political Science) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 19-3093 | Historians |
| 19-3094 | Political Scientistsprimary |
| 19-3099 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other |
| 19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants |
| 25-1065 | Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1125 | History Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in History and Political Science 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
- Teach political science.
- Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
- Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
- Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
- Advise political science students.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
Concentrations within History and Political Science
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- History and Political ScienceCIP 30.4601
A program with a general synthesis of history and political science or a specialization which draws from history and political science
Common questions
What is the focus of the History and Political Science program?+
The program focuses on the interplay between historical events and political systems.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook indicates a decline of 3.1%, with about 500 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required for careers in this field?+
Most careers in this field require a master's degree.
What is the CIP code for History and Political Science?+
History and Political Science maps to CIP 30.46 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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