Historic Preservation degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their historic preservation programs.
College Factual analyzed 80 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best historic preservation schools.
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Choosing a Great Historic Preservation School
The school you choose for historic preservation can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Historic Preservation rankings. For our Best Overall Historic Preservation School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Historic Preservation Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Historic Preservation in the United States
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 historic preservation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Columbia University In The City Of New York is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in historic preservation. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 26 historic preservation degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, historic preservation degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $53,920. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
Get the full historic preservation details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Students looking for a strong historic preservation program will find one at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 19 historic preservation degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, historic preservation degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
Read more about the historic preservation program at Johns Hopkins University
University Of Kentucky came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best historic preservation schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lexington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 historic preservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Historic Preservation graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans.
More information about a degree in historic preservation from University Of Kentucky
Clemson University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in historic preservation, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 historic preservation students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their historic preservation degree from Clemson University earn around $53,834 in the first couple years of their career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans.
Read more about the historic preservation program at Clemson University
University Of Delaware is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in historic preservation, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 historic preservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Historic Preservation graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans.
More information about a degree in historic preservation from University Of Delaware
College Of Charleston placed #6 among the best historic preservation schools. This large public university is located in the city of Charleston. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 26 historic preservation students who graduated with this degree at College Of Charleston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their historic preservation degree from College Of Charleston earn around $35,326 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Charleston graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans.
More information about a degree in historic preservation from College Of Charleston
University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best historic preservation schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 historic preservation students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the historic preservation program make about $49,925 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792.
More information about a degree in historic preservation from University Of Georgia
University Of Mary Washington placed #8 among the best historic preservation schools. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. About 26 historic preservation degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent year. Graduates of the historic preservation program make about $43,243 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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Southeast Missouri State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best historic preservation schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 historic preservation students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, historic preservation degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. Typical student debt for the program is $23,289.
Get the full historic preservation details for Southeast Missouri State University
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 · 80 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).
