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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best History Schools in Iowa

3 Colleges in the United States
196 History Degrees Awarded
$39,579 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 35 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 Iowa

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
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

No school ranked higher than Grinnell College this year for history. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Grinnell College graduates 88% of students within six years. Grinnell College awarded about 14 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $39,687. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Grinnell College

2
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #2. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 70 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $33,117. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,978 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from University Of Iowa

3

A rank of #3 makes Iowa State University one of the top schools for history. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish 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. More information about a degree in history from Iowa State University

4

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 38 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $27,569 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,776. Read more about the history program at University Of Northern Iowa

5
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #5. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 history degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Drake University earn around $56,228 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273. See the full history program report for Drake University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 35 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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