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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best History Schools in the The Plains States Region

22 Colleges in the United States
1,157 History Degrees Awarded
$43,726 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 158 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for history students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for History in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall history education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in History

1

Washington University In St Louis tops our 2026 ranking of the best history schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 24 history degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent 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

2

University Of St Thomas Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 11 history degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent 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. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. See the full history program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

3
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Students looking for a strong history program will find one at Grinnell College, which ranked #3. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grinnell College awarded about 14 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Grinnell College earn around $39,687 in the first couple years of their career. Grinnell College graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Get the full history details for Grinnell College

4

Creighton University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 10 history students who graduated with this degree at Creighton University in the most recent data year. History graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $64,369 early in their careers. Creighton University graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Read more about the history program at Creighton University

5
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #5. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. Carleton College awarded about 17 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for Carleton College

6
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College placed #6 among the best history schools. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. About 17 history degrees were awarded at Macalester College in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $42,517 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,147. See the full history program report for Macalester College

7

University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #7 position for history this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 61 history degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. History graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $26,996 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for University Of Missouri Columbia

8

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #8 position for history this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $42,297 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,743 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from University Of Minnesota Duluth

9

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #9 among the best history schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. About 79 history degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. History graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $26,635 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

10

Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #10 spot for history this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 20 history students who graduated with this degree at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn around $74,532 in the first couple years of their career. Missouri University Of Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Read more about the history program at Missouri University Of Science And Technology

11

Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #11 among the best history schools. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 24 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,586. Get the full history details for Saint Louis University Main Campus

12
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #12 spot for history this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 70 history degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $33,117 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,978. More information about a degree in history from University Of Iowa

13
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University came in at #13 for history this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. Bellevue University awarded about 17 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. Bellevue University graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Read more about the history program at Bellevue University

14

Kansas State University came in at #14 for history this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 18 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $33,744 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,539 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for Kansas State University

15

University Of Minnesota Morris landed the #15 spot for history this year. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. University Of Minnesota Morris graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Morris in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $44,479. University Of Minnesota Morris graduates carry a median of $21,080 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from University Of Minnesota Morris

16
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College placed #16 among the best history schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 history students who graduated with this degree at Augsburg College in the most recent data year. History graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $59,409 early in their careers. Augsburg College graduates carry a median of $26,319 in student loans. See the full history program report for Augsburg College

17

Gustavus Adolphus College placed #17 among the best history schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Saint Peter. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 history students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates carry a median of $26,197 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Gustavus Adolphus College

18

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #18 position for history this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. About 42 history degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $33,013. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln

19

Iowa State University earned the #19 position for history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 64 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $41,294. Typical student debt for the program is $26,007. Get the full history details for Iowa State University

20

Pittsburg State University came in at #20 for history this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 24 history students who graduated with this degree at Pittsburg State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Pittsburg State University earn around $50,003 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,669 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Pittsburg State University

21

Fort Hays State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Fort Hays State University awarded about 40 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $49,775 in their early career. Fort Hays State University graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Fort Hays State University

22
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. About 68% of students finish within six years. Truman State University awarded about 22 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $25,010. Students borrow a median of $21,125 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at Truman State University

23
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #23 among the best history schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 42 history degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $42,451. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from University Of Kansas

24
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 history students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $40,848. Students borrow a median of $25,812 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from St Olaf College

25

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #25 for history this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 38 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $27,569 in their early career. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $21,776 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from University Of Northern Iowa

Rest of the Top 40 History Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO
31
32
33
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

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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 · 158 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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