History

About History

Wondering whether History is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what Natural Sciences Managers earn and how the role is projected to grow.

How societies rise, evolve, and collapse. History majors pursue law, journalism, public policy, and any career that demands deep contextual thinking. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $50,680, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 1,474 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 31,255 students complete a degree in this area every 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?

Is the Investment Worth It?

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.

How Much Do History Majors Earn?

Pay for History graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $31,215 one year after graduation, rising to $50,680 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, across all 1,474 US institutions offering programs in this field.

What Can You Do With a History Degree?

Career Paths for History Graduates

Studying History does not lock you into one job title. It opens 6 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Natural Sciences Managers pays the most among them at a median $167,220 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.

Another common path leads to what History Teachers typically earn and how the field is trending.

History Specializations

History spans 1 specializations, and the choice among them will not swing your paycheck much: four-year earnings run from $50,680 to $50,680 across the whole group. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data. Source: College Scorecard.

The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for a History program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.

Best Colleges for History

These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in History, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for Southern New Hampshire University.

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

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.

History Degree: Pros & Cons

Weigh the financial trade-offs in History carefully before committing to it. The 3 strengths and 2 concerns below come from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts, so you can see exactly what is driving the caution.

History Degree: Frequently Asked Questions