HUMANITIES College Major

History

Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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About History

How societies rise, evolve, and collapse — history majors pursue law, journalism, public policy, and any career that demands deep contextual thinking. Graduates earn a national median of $50,680 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 1,474 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 31,255 students complete degrees in this area each year.

Median Earnings · 1yr
$31,215
Median Earnings · 4yr
$50,680
Colleges Offering
1,474
Graduates / Year
31,255
Specializations
1
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,074

Is a History Degree Right for You?

$50,680 Median earnings · 4yr
+3.7% 10yr job growth
1 Specializations

Is the Investment Worth It?

Breaks even in ~3.3 yrs vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Annual earnings
$50,680/yr
Total 4yr cost
$68,296

Solid ROI. Median earnings of $50,680 after 4 years. Against an estimated $68,296 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.3 years.

ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.

How Much Do History Majors Earn?

History graduates start at a median $31,215 one year out and reach $50,680 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 1,474 US institutions offering programs in this field.

$31,215
1 Year After Graduation

Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.

$50,680
4-Year National Median

Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.

$50,591
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.

What Can You Do With a History Degree?

Career Paths for History Graduates

History connects to 6 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Natural Sciences Managers leads in median earnings at $167,220/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.

Natural Sciences Managers Bachelor's degree
$167,220 ↗ +3.7% growth
History Teachers Doctoral or professional degree
$83,820 ↘ -0.2% growth
Secondary School Teacher Bachelor's degree
$72,040 ↘ -1.6% growth
Archivists Master's degree
$64,550 ↗ +3.8% growth
Curators Master's degree
$63,420 ↗ +7.0% growth
Museum Technicians and Conservators Bachelor's degree
$51,440 ↗ +5.4% growth

History Specializations

History spans 1 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $50,680 to $50,680 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.

Specialization Colleges Grads/yr Earnings · 4yr
History 1,474 31,255 $50,680

Best Colleges for History

The 20 colleges below are ranked by History graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

1
Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH · Nonprofit
Acceptance 99.5%
Net price/yr $36,708
Earnings 10yr $50,318
Grad rate 30%
2
Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit
Acceptance 99%
Net price/yr $29,357
Earnings 10yr $44,813
Grad rate 34%
3
University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public
Acceptance 9%
Net price/yr $12,548
Earnings 10yr $82,511
Grad rate 82%
4
Harvard University Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance 3.7%
Net price/yr $19,066
Earnings 10yr $101,817
Grad rate 87%
5
Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance 4%
Net price/yr $21,590
Earnings 10yr $102,491
Grad rate 79%
6
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public
Acceptance 45.2%
Net price/yr $17,354
Earnings 10yr $73,792
Grad rate 75%
7
Yale University New Haven, CT · Nonprofit
Acceptance 3.9%
Net price/yr $23,777
Earnings 10yr $100,533
Grad rate 93%
8
University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA · Public
Acceptance 33%
Net price/yr $16,109
Earnings 10yr $74,915
Grad rate 65%
9
University of North Texas Denton, TX · Public
Acceptance 72.2%
Net price/yr $15,649
Earnings 10yr $57,010
Grad rate 57%
10
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public
Acceptance 39.2%
Net price/yr $14,091
Earnings 10yr $78,466
Grad rate 73%
11
University of Central Florida Orlando, FL · Public
Acceptance 40.1%
Net price/yr $10,411
Earnings 10yr $58,308
Grad rate 55%
12
University of South Florida Tampa, FL · Public
Acceptance 43.2%
Net price/yr $9,812
Earnings 10yr $57,743
Grad rate 68%
13
California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, CA · Public
Acceptance 94%
Net price/yr $9,338
Earnings 10yr $64,876
Grad rate 64%
14
Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public
Acceptance 57.4%
Net price/yr $21,315
Earnings 10yr $72,097
Grad rate 80%
15
California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA · Public
Acceptance 46.3%
Net price/yr $10,440
Earnings 10yr $64,403
Grad rate 78%
16
University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA · Public
Acceptance 16.8%
Net price/yr $21,565
Earnings 10yr $86,863
Grad rate 90%
17
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC · Public
Acceptance 15.3%
Net price/yr $11,655
Earnings 10yr $72,200
Grad rate 87%
18
California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, CA · Public
Acceptance 90.5%
Net price/yr $6,555
Earnings 10yr $62,951
Grad rate 73%
19
Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public
Acceptance 60.6%
Net price/yr $17,339
Earnings 10yr $60,409
Grad rate 66%
20
Texas State University San Marcos, TX · Public
Acceptance 89.3%
Net price/yr $16,805
Earnings 10yr $56,906
Grad rate 60%
View all colleges

Ranked by number of History graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →

How History Compares to Similar Majors

Major
$30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k $100k
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Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a History degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a History degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

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College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

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Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

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College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

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History Degree: Pros & Cons

History carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 3 strengths and 2 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS
  • Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +7.0% job growth over the next decade per BLS data.
  • Wide availability Offered at 1,474 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
  • Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $31,215 at graduation to $50,680 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
  • Modest median earnings Four-year median of $50,680 lags behind many STEM and business fields, which can affect ROI at higher-cost programs.
  • Declining roles in some areas 2 related careers within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.

History Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do History graduates earn?
History graduates earn a national median of $50,680 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a History degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for History degree holders is $31,215 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a History degree?
History degree holders work in a range of careers. Natural Sciences Managers is one of the top roles by median wage ($167,220/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer History?
1,474 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in History, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a History degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $50,680 and an average net price of roughly $17,074/yr across institutions offering this major, a History degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a History degree?
A bachelor's degree in History typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in History graduates?
Employers hiring History graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, research, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the 10-year job outlook for History graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for History graduates is moderate, with an average of +3.0% projected growth across related occupations. Curators is among the strongest-growth roles at +7.0%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.

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Rankings for History Colleges

The most affordable and highest-earning colleges for History, ranked from the federal data.

  • Most Affordable History Colleges

    The most affordable colleges for History, ranked by net price with earnings and outcomes shown.

    • $1,300 Lowest Net
    • $20,194 Avg Net
    • 94 UCD Score
    • $110,066 Top Earn

  • Highest-Earning History Colleges

    The highest-earning colleges for History, ranked by graduate salary 10 years after entry.

    • $143,372 Top Earn
    • $60,128 Avg Earn
    • 94 UCD Score
    • 1,131 Colleges

Related Guides

Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.

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    How to Choose a Major Pillar

    A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.

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  • D

    Double Majors and Minors: When They're Worth It

    The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.

    • Double major
    • Minors
    • Time cost
    • Earnings impact
    • When worth it
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  • J

    Job Growth Projections: How to Use BLS Data

    Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.

    • BLS data
    • Job outlook
    • Growth projections
    • Reading the data
    • Career demand
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