2026 Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best History bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1480 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Princeton University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Based in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete their History program here. Read more about Princeton University
You'll be in good company at University Of Notre Dame, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their History program here. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Out of the 1480 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Pennsylvania landed the #3 spot. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
The strong History programs at Duke University earned it the #4 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Duke University History students take on a median of $13,000 in debt. Get the full Duke University report
A rank of #5 makes Yale University one of the top choices in the United States. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. Yale University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. See the full Yale University profile
Brown University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,491 to complete their History program here. Read the full report on Brown University
American Public University System came in at #7 in this year's ranking. American Public University System is a private for-profit school based in Charles Town, WV. American Public University System posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,400. The median History program debt is $23,160. Read the full report on American Public University System
Williams College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Williamstown, MA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,560. Graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans. Read more about Williams College
Harvard University placed #9 among History schools in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $12,721 in student loans. Read more about Harvard University
Dartmouth College placed #10 among History schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hanover, NH. Dartmouth College posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. See the full Dartmouth College profile
Amherst College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Amherst, MA. Amherst College posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. The median History program debt is $15,398. Read the full report on Amherst College
Georgetown University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,640 in student loans. See the full Georgetown University profile
Northwestern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Northwestern University History students take on a median of $15,917 in debt. Get the full Northwestern University report
College Of The Holy Cross ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit school based in Worcester, MA. College Of The Holy Cross graduates 87% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,500 in tuition and fees. Typical History student debt is $27,000. Read the full report on College Of The Holy Cross
Wake Forest University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. Located in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Typical History student debt is $23,000. More on Wake Forest University
University Of Chicago placed #16 among History schools in the United States. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their History program here. More on University Of Chicago
Tufts University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Tufts University History students take on a median of $15,750 in debt. Get the full Tufts University report
Virginia Military Institute came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Virginia Military Institute is a public school based in Lexington, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,046, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their History program here. Read more about Virginia Military Institute
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Vanderbilt University History students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. More on Vanderbilt University
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus History students take on a median of $19,352 in debt. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Centre College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Centre College is a private not-for-profit school based in Danville, KY. Centre College graduates 81% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $52,820. Typical History student debt is $27,000. More on Centre College
Boston College landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chestnut Hill, MA. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about Boston College
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #23 in this year's ranking. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. The median History program debt is $19,000. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
New York University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their History program here. Read more about New York University
Kenyon College landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Gambier, OH, Kenyon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $71,520. Graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Get the full Kenyon College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Salisbury University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Salisbury, MD. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Typical History student debt is $24,125. Read the full report on Salisbury University
Gonzaga University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Located in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their History program here. Read more about Gonzaga University
University Of Maryland University College landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Adelphi, MD. About 20% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. University Of Maryland University College History students take on a median of $23,750 in debt. See the full University Of Maryland University College profile
Emory University placed #29 among History schools in the United States. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Emory University
George Washington University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. George Washington University History students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Read the full report on George Washington University
National University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. Students borrow a median of $29,687 to complete their History program here. Read more about National University
Monmouth University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Located in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. The median History program debt is $27,000. Read more about Monmouth University
Ashford University placed #33 among History schools in the United States. Based in San Diego, CA, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 10% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. The median History program debt is $40,750. Get the full Ashford University report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #34 among History schools in the United States. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $20,499 in student loans. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Ashland University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Set in Ashland, OH, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $31,210. Typical History student debt is $26,734. More on Ashland University
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public school based in Charleston, SC. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina History students take on a median of $25,524 in debt. Get the full Citadel Military College Of South Carolina report
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #37 among History schools in the United States. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin History students take on a median of $19,553 in debt. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
South Dakota State University placed #38 among History schools in the United States. Set in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. South Dakota State University History students take on a median of $26,977 in debt. See the full South Dakota State University profile
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Typical History student debt is $28,513. Get the full Arizona State University Skysong report
Barnard College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Graduates carry a median of $16,425 in student loans. More on Barnard College
The College Of Wooster came in at #41 in this year's ranking. The College Of Wooster is a private not-for-profit school based in Wooster, OH. The College Of Wooster graduates 74% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,640. Students borrow a median of $26,720 to complete their History program here. More on The College Of Wooster
Suny College At Cortland landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Located in Cortland, NY, Suny College At Cortland is a public institution. Suny College At Cortland posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Suny College At Cortland History students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. More on Suny College At Cortland
Illinois State University did well this year, earning the #43 position. Set in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete their History program here. See the full Illinois State University profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #44 position. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,494 to complete their History program here. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
Southern Methodist University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More on Southern Methodist University
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a public school based in Cedar Falls, IA. About 68% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,776 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York History students take on a median of $22,000 in debt. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Gettysburg College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Gettysburg, PA. Gettysburg College posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees average $66,640. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full Gettysburg College profile
Nevada State College placed #49 among History schools in the United States. Based in Henderson, NV, Nevada State College is a public institution. Nevada State College graduates 34% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,765, while out-of-state students pay about $21,833. Typical History student debt is $26,611. More on Nevada State College
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #50 among History schools in the United States. Located in Duluth, MN, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Duluth posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. The median History program debt is $26,743. More on University Of Minnesota Duluth
Related History Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best History Schools (All Levels)
- Best History Certificate Degree Schools
- Best History Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best History Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best History Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best History Master’s Degree Schools
- Best History Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1480 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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