2026 Best History Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best History master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1480 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 History Master’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. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. Princeton University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical History student debt is $10,888. More on Princeton University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the top choices in the United States. 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. Typical History student debt is $19,000. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
Out of the 1480 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Yale University landed the #3 spot. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. More on Yale University
The strong History programs at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place in the United States. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete their History program here. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Out of the 1480 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Duke University landed the #5 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. More on Duke University
Brown University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. The median History program debt is $13,491. Read more about Brown University
Harvard University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. The median History program debt is $12,721. Get the full Harvard University report
Georgetown University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Typical History student debt is $16,640. Read more about Georgetown University
Tufts University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Typical History student debt is $15,750. Read the full report on Tufts University
Northwestern University placed #10 among History schools in the United States. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. The median History program debt is $15,917. Read the full report on Northwestern University
University Of Chicago came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. University Of Chicago History students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. More on University Of Chicago
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. More on Vanderbilt University
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. The median History program debt is $19,352. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
New York University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. About 88% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical History student debt is $19,000. Read more about New York University
Monmouth University placed #15 among History schools in the United States. Based in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. In-state tuition and fees run about $46,552. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their History program here. Read the full report on Monmouth University
Ashland University placed #16 among History schools in the United States. Set in Ashland, OH, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $31,210. Students borrow a median of $26,734 to complete their History program here. Read the full report on Ashland University
American Public University System came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Charles Town, WV. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete their History program here. More on American Public University System
Salisbury University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Salisbury University is a public school based in Salisbury, MD. Salisbury University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Typical History student debt is $24,125. Get the full Salisbury University report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical History student debt is $19,000. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Emory University placed #20 among History schools in the United States. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. The median History program debt is $21,000. More on Emory University
George Washington University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical History student debt is $23,250. Get the full George Washington University report
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #22 among History schools in the United States. Located in Kearney, NE, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. The median History program debt is $18,250. More on University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Boston College landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. Boston College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their History program here. Read more about Boston College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,499 in student loans. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public school based in Charleston, SC. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Typical History student debt is $25,524. Read the full report on Citadel Military College Of South Carolina
Rest of the Top 50 Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Norwich University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. Norwich University is a private not-for-profit school based in Northfield, VT. Norwich University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,740. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Norwich University
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $19,553 to complete their History program here. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. The median History program debt is $28,513. See the full Arizona State University Skysong profile
Illinois State University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete their History program here. Get the full Illinois State University report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $19,494 in student loans. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Set in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. University Of Northern Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $21,776 to complete their History program here. Read more about University Of Northern Iowa
Cornell University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Typical History student debt is $16,884. Get the full Cornell University report
Boston University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. See the full Boston University profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete their History program here. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland College Park History students take on a median of $23,715 in debt. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Slippery Rock, PA, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania report
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison History students take on a median of $20,909 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Suny College At Cortland landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Cortland, NY, Suny College At Cortland is a public institution. Suny College At Cortland graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their History program here. See the full Suny College At Cortland profile
University Of Utah landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. The median History program debt is $22,250. Read more about University Of Utah
Arizona State University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. The median History program debt is $28,513. Get the full Arizona State University report
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Set in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. The median History program debt is $27,000. See the full Minnesota State University Mankato profile
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #42 position. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in Millersville, PA. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Typical History student debt is $26,000. Read more about Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Iowa State University placed #43 among History schools in the United States. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $26,007 in student loans. See the full Iowa State University profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best History schools. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill History students take on a median of $14,838 in debt. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete their History program here. More on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #46 among History schools in the United States. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical History student debt is $20,500. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
North Carolina State University At Raleigh did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #48 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. The median History program debt is $20,410. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Southern California placed #49 among History schools in the United States. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. The median History program debt is $12,638. Get the full University Of Southern California report
University Of California Davis came in at #50 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Davis, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical History student debt is $14,593. Read more about University Of California Davis
Related History Rankings
Explore 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best History Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best History Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.