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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region

52 Colleges in the United States
2,418 History Degrees Awarded
$38,260 Avg Early-Career Salary

History programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 214 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 the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the history degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in History

1

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for history. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 44 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. See the full history program report for Northwestern University

2

Case Western Reserve University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #2 spot this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 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. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Case Western Reserve University

3

University Of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 58 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $39,522 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for University Of Notre Dame

4

University Of Chicago came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 75 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $46,616 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Get the full history details for University Of Chicago

5

Students looking for a strong history program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 176 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $35,959 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,909 in student loans. Read more about the history program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

6

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #6 spot for history this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 13 history students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. History graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Wheaton College Illinois

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for history this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 93 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $26,436 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full history details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #8 position for history this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 97 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $40,587 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,494 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

9
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College came in at #9 for history this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 15 history degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Elmhurst College earn around $51,232 in the first couple years of their career. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. See the full history program report for Elmhurst College

10
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College earned the #10 position for history this year. Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Gambier. Kenyon College graduates 82% of students within six years. Kenyon College awarded about 19 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of $37,976 early in their careers. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. See the full history program report for Kenyon College

11
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 history students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. History graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Lewis University

12

Illinois State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 118 history students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Illinois State University earn around $40,465 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125. Get the full history details for Illinois State University

13
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College earned the #13 position for history this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lake Forest. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 history students who graduated with this degree at Lake Forest College in the most recent data year. History graduates of Lake Forest College earn a median of $41,168 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Lake Forest College

14
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University earned the #14 position for history this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Xavier University awarded about 11 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Xavier University earn around $55,045 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Xavier University

15

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 72 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $31,880. Students borrow a median of $23,754 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for Indiana University Bloomington

16

Loyola University Chicago ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 history degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. History graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $31,079 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Get the full history details for Loyola University Chicago

17
Kalamazoo College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo College earned the #17 position for history this year. Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 14 history degrees were awarded at Kalamazoo College in the most recent year. History graduates of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Kalamazoo College graduates carry a median of $26,118 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Kalamazoo College

18

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 117 history students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $26,663 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the history program at Ohio State University Main Campus

19
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University placed #19 among the best history schools. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Aurora University awarded about 15 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $51,483 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Aurora University

20
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University landed the #20 spot for history this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 11 history degrees were awarded at Denison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $39,797 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for Denison University

21
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #21 for history this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 22 history degrees were awarded at Marquette University in the most recent year. History graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $36,907 early in their careers. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full history program report for Marquette University

22
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #22 spot for history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 60 history degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,980 in student loans. Read more about the history program at Purdue University Main Campus

23
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College came in at #23 for history this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Naperville. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Central College awarded about 12 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from North Central College earn around $46,247 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,699. Read more about the history program at North Central College

24

Northern Illinois University placed #24 among the best history schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 51 history degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. History graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $33,288 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at Northern Illinois University

25

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #25 for history this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 38 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $26,474. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from University Of Illinois At Chicago

Rest of the Top 50 History Schools

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

26
27
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
28
Wabash College crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN
29
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
30
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
31
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH
32
33
34
35
Carthage College crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI
36
37
38
39
40
41
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
42
43
44
45
46
47
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for history:

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View All History Rankings >

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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 · 214 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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