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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best History Schools in the Southeast Region

92 Colleges in the United States
5,696 History Degrees Awarded
$36,388 Avg Early-Career Salary

History degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their history programs.

College Factual analyzed 338 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 Southeast 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
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Our analysis ranked Duke University the best school in the country for a degree in history. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 history degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. History graduates of Duke University earn a median of $60,750 early in their careers. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Get the full history details for Duke University

2

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #2. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 history degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. History graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Get the full history details for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

3
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #3. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 history students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. History graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $46,856 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. Get the full history details for Vanderbilt University

4
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of Miami earn around $35,633 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from University Of Miami

5

College Of William And Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #5 spot this year. 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 115 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $31,595 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at College Of William And Mary

6

Washington And Lee University landed the #6 spot for history this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 19 history students who graduated with this degree at Washington And Lee University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $76,810 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for Washington And Lee University

7

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #7 for history this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 149 history degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. History graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $34,028 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,352 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

8

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #8 among the best history schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 87 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $34,592 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,838. More information about a degree in history from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

9
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond came in at #9 for history this year. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 history degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of Richmond earn around $53,815 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,634. Get the full history details for University Of Richmond

10
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College came in at #10 for history this year. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Davidson College graduates 91% of students within six years. Davidson College awarded about 12 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,906. Read more about the history program at Davidson College

11
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. James Madison University awarded about 82 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $29,000 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for James Madison University

12
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University came in at #12 for history this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 27 history degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Emory University earn around $33,710 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. Get the full history details for Emory University

13

Elon University came in at #13 for history this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 12 history students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $50,463 in their early career. Elon University graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Get the full history details for Elon University

14
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University earned the #14 position for history this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 history degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. More information about a degree in history from Wake Forest University

15

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 history degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $33,319 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,499 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

16
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 123 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $27,360 early in their careers. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,022 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from University Of Florida

17

University Of Georgia ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 95 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $26,983 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full history program report for University Of Georgia

18

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #18 for history this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 82 history degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. History graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $32,999 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

19

Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #19 among the best history schools. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 33 history degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. History graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,580. Get the full history details for Tulane University Of Louisiana

20

Virginia Military Institute placed #20 among the best history schools. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public institution. Virginia Military Institute graduates 76% of students within six years. Virginia Military Institute awarded about 44 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $42,543 early in their careers. Virginia Military Institute graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the history program at Virginia Military Institute

21
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #21 position for history this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 90 history students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Florida State University earn around $27,944 in the first couple years of their career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $19,907 in student loans. Read more about the history program at Florida State University

22
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 52 history degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $36,199. Students borrow a median of $24,550 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for Clemson University

23

University Of Kentucky landed the #23 spot for history this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. University Of Kentucky awarded about 38 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $28,432. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full history program report for University Of Kentucky

24

The University Of Alabama landed the #24 spot for history this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 76 history degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $25,533 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,568. More information about a degree in history from The University Of Alabama

25

The University Of Tennessee placed #25 among the best history schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 84 history students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. History graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $28,713 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for The University Of Tennessee

Rest of the Top 50 History Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s history ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Hampden Sydney College crest
Hampden Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA
33
34
35
36
37
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
38
39
40
41
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA
42
43
44
45
Wofford College crest
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC
46
47
48
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN
49
50

Additional History Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for history this year:

Rank School Location
#83 American Public University System Charles Town, WV

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for history:

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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 · 338 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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