Best colleges for History in Washington
Ranked by graduate earnings
Eastern Washington University, Central Washington University and Washington State University are the top bachelor's History programs in Washington by graduate earnings. Eastern Washington University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,126, College Scorecard. University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Eastern Washington University and Western Washington University award the most History degrees in Washington: 144, 131 and 80 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 Washington colleges offer History and award 553 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 6 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 | Eastern Washington University Cheney Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,126 | 131 | 43% | — | $23,608 |
| 2 | Central Washington University Ellensburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,747 | 25 | 54% | — | $25,250 |
| 3 | Washington State University Pullman Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,220 | 77 | 60% | — | $24,000 |
| 4 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,261 | 144 | 85% | — | $15,000 |
| 5 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,355 | 80 | 65% | — | $17,860 |
| 6 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,909 | 14 | 68% | $35,057 | $20,500 |
Colleges awarding the most History degrees in Washington
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 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public | 144 | $26,261* |
| 2 | Eastern Washington University Cheney Public | 131 | $36,126 |
| 3 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public | 80 | $25,355 |
| 4 | Washington State University Pullman Public | 77 | $31,220 |
| 5 | Central Washington University Ellensburg Public | 25 | $35,747 |
| 6 | Gonzaga University Spokane Private not-for-profit | 16 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma Private not-for-profit | 14 | $29,909 |
| 8 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma Public | 13 | $26,261* |
| 9 | Whitman College Walla Walla Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 10 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 6 Washington colleges offering History
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitworth University | Spokane | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Seattle Pacific University | Seattle | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Seattle University | Seattle | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Walla Walla University | College Place | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Saint Martin's University | Lacey | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Heritage University | Toppenish | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Historians (SOC 19-3093).
Top skills
What Historians earn in Washington
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing History programs in Washington.
Which Washington colleges award the most History degrees?+
University of Washington-Seattle Campus (144 graduates a year), Eastern Washington University (131 graduates a year) and Western Washington University (80 graduates a year) award the most History degrees in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 Washington colleges offer History.
What is the best college for History in Washington?+
By graduate earnings, Eastern Washington University leads among bachelor's History programs in Washington, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,126, College Scorecard. Central Washington University and Washington State University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Washington-Seattle Campus is the largest, with 144 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which History program in Washington has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Eastern Washington University tops the list at $36,126. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Historians earn in Washington?+
The average annual wage for Historians in Washington is $96,270 (median $99,720), across about 30 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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