West Virginia · History

Best colleges for History in West Virginia

Ranked by graduate earnings

West Virginia University, Marshall University and Shepherd University award the most History degrees and certificates in West Virginia: 49, 21 and 6 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 West Virginia colleges offer History and award 459 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
11
offering CIP 54.01
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
459
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$24,215
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$17,325
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
50%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Historians
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, 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
1West Virginia University
Morgantown Public · Bachelor's degree
$24,2154965%—$22,250
2American Public University System
Charles Town Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online
$35,19836457%$10,199$26,582

Colleges awarding the most History degrees in West Virginia

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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)
1West Virginia University
Morgantown Public
49$24,215
2Marshall University
Huntington Public
21Not reported
3Shepherd University
Shepherdstown Public
6Not reported
4West Virginia State University
Institute Public
6Not reported
5Concord University
Athens Public
3Not reported
6Fairmont State University
Fairmont Public
3Not reported
7West Liberty University
West Liberty Public
3Not reported
8Bethany College
Bethany Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
9Davis & Elkins College
Elkins Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
10West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
Show the other 1 West Virginia colleges offering History
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
American Public University System (Online)Charles TownPrivate for-profit364

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 West Virginia

Jobs in West Virginia
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

History Teachers, Postsecondary
$69,610 avg · 90 jobs
Museum Technicians and Conservators
—
Curators
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing History programs in West Virginia.

Which West Virginia colleges award the most History degrees?+

West Virginia University (49 graduates a year), Marshall University (21 graduates a year) and Shepherd University (6 graduates a year) award the most History degrees and certificates in West Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 West Virginia colleges offer History.

Which History program in West Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, West Virginia University tops the list at $24,215. 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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