Rhode Island · History

Best colleges for History in Rhode Island

Ranked by graduate earnings

Brown University, Providence College and University of Rhode Island are the top bachelor's History programs in Rhode Island by graduate earnings. Brown University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,296, College Scorecard. Brown University, University of Rhode Island and Providence College award the most History degrees in Rhode Island: 66, 36 and 20 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Rhode Island colleges offer History and award 161 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…

Institutions
7
offering CIP 54.01
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
161
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$34,319
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$32,048
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
76%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Historians
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Brown University
Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$42,2966696%$14,644$13,491
2Providence College
Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$41,9232086%$32,048$27,000
3University of Rhode Island
Kingston Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,3193673%—$21,469
4Rhode Island College
Providence Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$31,9811448%—$24,141

Colleges awarding the most History degrees in Rhode Island

Top 7 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Brown University
Providence Private not-for-profit
66$42,296
2University of Rhode Island
Kingston Public
36$34,319
3Providence College
Providence Private not-for-profit
20$41,923
4Roger Williams University
Bristol Private not-for-profit
18Not reported
5Rhode Island College
Providence Public
14$31,981
6Salve Regina University
Newport Private not-for-profit
6Not reported
7Bryant University
Smithfield Private not-for-profit
1Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Historians (SOC 19-3093).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.2%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~300
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$74,050
typically Master's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive ListeningActive Learning

What Historians earn in Rhode Island

Jobs in Rhode Island
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Museum Technicians and Conservators
$65,070 avg · 70 jobs
Curators
$82,470 avg · 70 jobs
Archivists
$80,690 avg · 40 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing History programs in Rhode Island.

Which Rhode Island colleges award the most History degrees?+

Brown University (66 graduates a year), University of Rhode Island (36 graduates a year) and Providence College (20 graduates a year) award the most History degrees in Rhode Island, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Rhode Island colleges offer History.

What is the best college for History in Rhode Island?+

By graduate earnings, Brown University leads among bachelor's History programs in Rhode Island, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,296, College Scorecard. Providence College and University of Rhode Island follow. By degrees awarded, Brown University is the largest, with 66 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which History program in Rhode Island has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Brown University tops the list at $42,296. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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