History programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 1480 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best history schools.
Leading the list is Boston College, our #1 school for history. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 history students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $41,341 in their early career. Boston College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in history from Boston College
Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 history students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Northwestern University earn around $50,161 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,917 to complete this degree.
Read more about the history program at Northwestern University
Students looking for a strong history program will find one at Dartmouth College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 history students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Dartmouth College earn around $61,127 in the first couple years of their career. Dartmouth College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
Read more about the history program at Dartmouth College
A rank of #4 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for history. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 history students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in history from Stanford University
Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 12 history degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $60,750. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans.
Read more about the history program at Duke University
Harvard University landed the #6 spot for history this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 141 history students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. History graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $53,468 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,721 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in history from Harvard University
Yale University earned the #7 position for history this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 111 history students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. History graduates of Yale University earn a median of $54,700 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
More information about a degree in history from Yale University
Tufts University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tufts University awarded about 29 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $41,447. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full history details for Tufts University
Rice University came in at #9 for history this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 history students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. History graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904.
Get the full history details for Rice University
New York University placed #10 among the best history schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 67 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of New York University earn a median of $39,636 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
More information about a degree in history from New York University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for history this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 58 history students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
Get the full history details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Colgate University placed #12 among the best history schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 history degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $52,924 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in history from Colgate University
Washington University In St Louis earned the #13 position for history this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 history students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. History graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
More information about a degree in history from Washington University In St Louis
Vanderbilt University earned the #14 position for history this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 37 history degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. History graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $46,856 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in history from Vanderbilt University
Amherst College landed the #15 spot for history this year. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Amherst College awarded about 14 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Amherst College earn around $56,444 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,398.
See the full history program report for Amherst College
Brown University placed #16 among the best history schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. About 96% of students finish within six years. Brown University awarded about 38 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Brown University earn around $42,296 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,491 to complete this degree.
See the full history program report for Brown University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #17 for history this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 history degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $83,560 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree.
See the full history program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Case Western Reserve University landed the #18 spot for history this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 history students who graduated with this degree at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent data year. History graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. Case Western Reserve University graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans.
More information about a degree in history from Case Western Reserve University
Georgetown University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 history students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Georgetown University earn around $49,876 in the first couple years of their career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,640 in student loans.
See the full history program report for Georgetown University
University Of Southern California landed the #20 spot for history this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 78 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $36,876 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,638.
More information about a degree in history from University Of Southern California
University Of Notre Dame placed #21 among the best history schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 28 history degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $39,522 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
More information about a degree in history from University Of Notre Dame
Bates College placed #22 among the best history schools. Located in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 17 history students who graduated with this degree at Bates College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Bates College generally make around $43,933. Students borrow a median of $12,226 to complete this degree.
See the full history program report for Bates College
University Of Miami landed the #23 spot for history this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $35,633 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full history details for University Of Miami
College Of William And Mary placed #24 among the best history schools. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. College Of William And Mary awarded about 101 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $31,595. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree.
See the full history program report for College Of William And Mary
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #25 among the best history schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $65,183 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923.
More information about a degree in history from University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Rest of the Top 50 History Schools
These schools also placed among the best for history this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1480 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
