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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best History Schools in California

30 Colleges in the United States
4,457 History Degrees Awarded
$46,329 Avg Early-Career Salary

History programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their history programs.

College Factual analyzed 182 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best history schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for History in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall history education in California.

Top Schools in History

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year for history. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 34 history degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for Stanford University

2

Students looking for a strong history program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 92 history degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of Southern California earn around $36,876 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $12,638 in student loans. Read more about the history program at University Of Southern California

3

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 167 history degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $29,749. Typical student debt for the program is $14,500. More information about a degree in history from University Of California Santa Barbara

4

University Of California Davis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 112 history degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $31,895 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,593 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from University Of California Davis

5

University Of California Irvine came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 89 history degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $23,480. Students borrow a median of $15,929 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for University Of California Irvine

6
Pomona College crest
Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Pomona College graduates 93% of students within six years. Pomona College awarded about 14 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $75,954 in their early career. Get the full history details for Pomona College

7

University Of California Berkeley earned the #7 position for history this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 135 history degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $28,849. Typical student debt for the program is $13,068. See the full history program report for University Of California Berkeley

8

University Of San Diego ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of San Diego awarded about 10 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from University Of San Diego

9

Loyola Marymount University earned the #9 position for history this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 12 history degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. History graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Get the full history details for Loyola Marymount University

10

University Of California San Diego ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 78 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $21,713 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,467. See the full history program report for University Of California San Diego

11

San Jose State University placed #11 among the best history schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 history students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in history from San Jose State University

12

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #12 for history this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. About 212 history degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. History graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $28,116 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $14,277 in student loans. Get the full history details for University Of California Los Angeles

13

San Diego State University earned the #13 position for history this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 105 history students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. History graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $38,203 early in their careers. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $13,881 in student loans. Read more about the history program at San Diego State University

14

California State University East Bay landed the #14 spot for history this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 44 history degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from California State University East Bay earn around $31,059 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for California State University East Bay

15

Saint Marys College Of California ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Marys College Of California graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 history students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent data year. History graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. Get the full history details for Saint Marys College Of California

16

San Francisco State University earned the #16 position for history this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 55 history students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $28,718. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. Get the full history details for San Francisco State University

17

California State University Sacramento landed the #17 spot for history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 153 history degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $33,166 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from California State University Sacramento

18

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #18 among the best history schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 history students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. History graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $31,540 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,627. See the full history program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

19

California State University Fullerton placed #19 among the best history schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. About 158 history degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $31,994 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,524. Get the full history details for California State University Fullerton

20

California State University Stanislaus earned the #20 position for history this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Turlock. California State University Stanislaus graduates 53% of students within six years. California State University Stanislaus awarded about 55 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $32,184. Students borrow a median of $11,656 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for California State University Stanislaus

21

California State University Northridge landed the #21 spot for history this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 79 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $37,031 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at California State University Northridge

22
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University earned the #22 position for history this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 history students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Sonoma State University earn around $31,992 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,304. Read more about the history program at Sonoma State University

23

Vanguard University Of Southern California landed the #23 spot for history this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 history degrees were awarded at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $80,727 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111. Read more about the history program at Vanguard University Of Southern California

24

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #24 position for history this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 106 history students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. History graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $25,728 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in history from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

25

California State University Long Beach earned the #25 position for history this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 140 history students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $25,014. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full history details for California State University Long Beach

Rest of the Top 50 History Schools

These schools also placed among the best for history this year:

26
27
Pitzer College crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, CA
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
39
40
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA
41
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
42
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
43
44
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA
45
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
46
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
47
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
48
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 182 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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