No school ranked higher than New York University this year for history. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. New York University awarded about 38 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from New York University generally make around $39,636. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
See the full history program report for New York University
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for history. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 history students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $100,827 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in history from Stanford University
Harvard University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 91 history degrees 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.
Get the full history details for Harvard University
Yale University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 70 history students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $54,700. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
See the full history program report for Yale University
Students looking for a strong history program will find one at Georgetown University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Georgetown University awarded about 22 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $49,876 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,640.
Get the full history details for Georgetown University
University Of Notre Dame ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. About 95% of students finish within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 18 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $39,522. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
See the full history program report for University Of Notre Dame
Boston College landed the #7 spot for history this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Boston College awarded about 17 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Boston College earn around $51,624 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
More information about a degree in history from Boston College
Vanderbilt University came in at #8 for history this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 28 history degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $46,856 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in history from Vanderbilt University
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 21 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $34,028 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,352.
More information about a degree in history from University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #10 position for history this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $59,003 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
More information about a degree in history from University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Chicago came in at #11 for history this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 16 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $46,616 in their early career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
See the full history program report for University Of Chicago
George Washington University placed #12 among the best history schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 13 history degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from George Washington University earn around $38,927 in the first couple years of their career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in history from George Washington University
University Of California Irvine came in at #13 for history this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $23,480 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,929 to complete this degree.
See the full history program report for University Of California Irvine
Princeton University came in at #14 for history this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 history degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. History graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $45,363 early in their careers. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans.
More information about a degree in history from Princeton University
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #15 position for history this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 16 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $42,020 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,715.
See the full history program report for University Of Maryland College Park
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 61 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $53,828 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
See the full history program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
James Madison University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 history students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from James Madison University earn around $29,000 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Get the full history details for James Madison University
San Diego State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. San Diego State University awarded about 13 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $38,203 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $13,881 in student loans.
More information about a degree in history from San Diego State University
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #19 spot for history this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $26,996 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans.
See the full history program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 11 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $31,880 early in their careers. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $23,754 in student loans.
See the full history program report for Indiana University Bloomington
American University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 history students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. History graduates of American University earn a median of $47,616 early in their careers. American University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
See the full history program report for American University
California State University Fullerton placed #22 among the best history schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 history students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $36,905 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,524.
More information about a degree in history from California State University Fullerton
Suny At Binghamton ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 10 history degrees were awarded at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $24,498 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,596.
Read more about the history program at Suny At Binghamton
Loyola University Chicago placed #24 among the best history schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 15 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $31,079 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the history program at Loyola University Chicago
California State University East Bay earned the #25 position for history this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. California State University East Bay awarded about 11 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $31,059. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the history program at California State University East Bay
Rest of the Top 50 History Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s history ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, 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).
