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Most Popular History Schools

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2023 Most Popular History Schools

1,483 Colleges
$30,467 Avg Salary
$23,587 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best History School for You

In 2020-2021, 32,731 people earned a degree or certificate in history, making the major the #23 most popular in the United States.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular History Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 1,483 schools in the United States to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the History program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for history majors pursuing a .

Our analysis found Southern New Hampshire University to be the most popular school for history students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Located in the midsize suburb of Manchester, SNHU is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, history majors at SNHU accumulate an average of around $30,406 in student debt.

Read full report on History at Southern New Hampshire University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American Public University System. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular History Schools list. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that history majors at American Military University take out is $20,854.

Read full report on History at American Public University System

#3

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Liberty University is a great place for history students. Located in the small city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

History majors at Liberty University take out an average of $29,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full History at Liberty University Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular History Schools list. UCLA is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Los Angeles.

The average amount in student loans that history majors at UCLA take out is $14,200. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $241.

Full History at University of California - Los Angeles Report

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Arizona State University - Skysong is a great place for history students. ASU - Skysong is a fairly large public school located in the city of Scottsdale.

After completing their degree, history graduates from ASU - Skysong carry an average student debt load of $28,276. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $295.

Full History at Arizona State University - Skysong Report

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for history students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that history majors at Columbia take out is $21,500.

Read full report on History at Columbia University in the City of New York

With a ranking of #7, University of North Texas did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for history students. Located in the medium-sized city of Denton, UNT is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that history majors at UNT take out is $25,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $246.

Read More…

#8

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

Harvard University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular history programs. Harvard is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Cambridge.

Full History at Harvard University Report

#9

Yale University

New Haven, CT

With a ranking of #9, Yale University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for history students. Yale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven.

After completing their degree, history graduates from Yale carry an average student debt load of $12,000.

Full History at Yale University Report

California State University - Long Beach ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular History Schools list. CSULB is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Long Beach.

After completing their degree, history graduates from CSULB carry an average student debt load of $15,000.

Full History at California State University - Long Beach Report

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular History Schools ranking. Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, history graduates from UW Seattle carry an average student debt load of $17,240.

Full History at University of Washington - Seattle Campus Report

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular History Schools ranking. UCSB is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara.

While working on their degree, history majors at UCSB accumulate an average of around $18,000 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $255.

Read More…

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for history students. It came in at #13 on the list. U-M is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor.

After completing their degree, history graduates from U-M carry an average student debt load of $19,169. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $334, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#14

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular history programs. Located in the small suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public college with a fairly large student population.

History majors at University of Virginia take out an average of $20,390 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $227.

Read full report on History at University of Virginia - Main Campus

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular History Schools list. UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Chapel Hill.

While working on their degree, history majors at UNC Chapel Hill accumulate an average of around $15,400 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $353.

Full History at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Report

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular History Schools list. Ohio State is a fairly large public school located in the city of Columbus.

History majors at Ohio State take out an average of $24,188 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $215, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular history programs. UW - Madison is a fairly large public school located in the city of Madison.

While working on their degree, history majors at UW - Madison accumulate an average of around $20,500 in student debt.

Read More…

University of Central Florida ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular History Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, history graduates from UCF take out $22,945 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full History at University of Central Florida Report

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for history students. It came in at #19 on the list. UC Berkeley is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Berkeley.

History majors at UC Berkeley take out an average of $14,456 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $526.

Read More…

#20

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular History Schools list. SHSU is a fairly large public school located in the town of Huntsville.

While working on their degree, history majors at SHSU accumulate an average of around $27,451 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $128.

Full History at Sam Houston State University Report

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular History Schools ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public school with a very large student population.

On average, history graduates from Texas A&M College Station take out $20,530 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $349.

Read More…

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for history students. It came in at #22 on the list. UT Austin is a fairly large public school located in the city of Austin.

History majors at UT Austin take out an average of $19,503 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $332, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on History at The University of Texas at Austin

With a ranking of #23, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for history students. Cal State Fullerton is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton.

On average, history graduates from Cal State Fullerton take out $15,401 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on History at California State University - Fullerton

With a ranking of #23, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for history students. Located in the large city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public school with a very large student population.

History majors at Sac State take out an average of $20,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for history students. It came in at #25 on the list. UNC Charlotte is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Charlotte.

On average, history graduates from UNC Charlotte take out $25,000 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $289.

Full History at University of North Carolina at Charlotte Report

#26

New York University

New York, NY
#27

Pace University - New York

New York, NY
#29

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX
#31

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA
#33

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL
#34

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA
#42

University of Houston

Houston, TX
#43

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ
#43

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL
#49

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL
#50

Binghamton University

Vestal, NY

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Most Popular History Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 1483 different United States history schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT
52 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
53 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
54 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
54 University of Georgia Athens, GA
56 University of California - Irvine Irvine, CA
56 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
56 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
56 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
60 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
60 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
62 Brown University Providence, RI
62 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
62 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
62 Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA
66 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
66 Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID
66 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
69 University at Albany Albany, NY
69 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
69 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
72 Florida International University Miami, FL
73 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
74 Fordham University Bronx, NY
74 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
76 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY
76 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
76 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
79 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
79 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
79 Northwestern University Evanston, IL
82 Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MA
83 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
83 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
83 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
83 University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA
87 Norwich University Northfield, VT
88 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
88 George Washington University Washington, DC
90 Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO
90 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
90 Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
93 Georgetown University Washington, DC
93 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
93 Princeton University Princeton, NJ
96 Ashland University Ashland, OH
96 Queens College Queens, NY
98 Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CA
99 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN
99 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
101 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
102 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
102 Blinn College Brenham, TX
102 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
105 Portland State University Portland, OR
105 California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA
107 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
107 California State University - Chico Chico, CA
107 University of Oregon Eugene, OR
110 United States Military Academy West Point, NY
110 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
110 SUNY Cortland Cortland, NY
110 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
114 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
114 California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA
116 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ
116 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA
118 Hunter College New York, NY
118 Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA
118 Washington State University Pullman, WA
121 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
121 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
121 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
124 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
125 Kean University Union, NJ
125 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
127 Duke University Durham, NC
127 University of Delaware Newark, DE
129 Stanford University Stanford, CA
129 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
131 Auburn University Auburn, AL
131 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
131 University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MD
131 Dartmouth College Hanover, NH
135 The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX
135 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
137 University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MO
137 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
137 SUNY New Paltz New Paltz, NY
137 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
137 Cornell University Ithaca, NY
142 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY
142 Clemson University Clemson, SC
142 Utah State University Logan, UT
142 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
142 The City College of New York New York, NY
142 American University Washington, DC
142 Iowa State University Ames, IA
142 University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO
142 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
151 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX
151 The University of West Florida Pensacola, FL
151 University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NE
151 College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA
151 University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA
151 Mt. San Antonio College Walnut, CA
157 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
157 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
159 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
159 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
159 Ball State University Muncie, IN
159 Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT
159 California State University - Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA
164 University of Vermont Burlington, VT
164 Towson University Towson, MD
164 East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN
164 University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI
168 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI
168 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
168 California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CA
168 Texas A&M University - San Antonio San Antonio, TX
168 United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD
173 Providence College Providence, RI
173 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
173 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
173 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
173 The University of Arizona Global Campus San Diego, CA
178 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
178 Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA
178 Fullerton College Fullerton, CA
178 Boston University Boston, MA
178 Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA
183 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
183 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
183 The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ
183 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN
183 Barnard College New York, NY
188 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
188 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
188 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
188 University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM
188 Emory University Atlanta, GA
188 The College at Brockport Brockport, NY
188 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
188 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
196 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA
196 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
196 California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA
199 University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NH
199 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
199 Chaffey College Rancho Cucamonga, CA
199 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
199 SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, NY
199 Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA
199 Sierra College Rocklin, CA
206 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
206 Mt. San Jacinto College San Jacinto, CA
206 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
206 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH
210 Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ
210 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
210 University of Houston - Clear Lake Houston, TX
210 College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NY
210 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
210 Colgate University Hamilton, NY
210 Riverside City College Riverside, CA
210 Tufts University Medford, MA
218 Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA
218 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
218 Salem State University Salem, MA
218 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
222 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
222 Salisbury University Salisbury, MD
222 Boise State University Boise, ID
222 Citrus College Glendora, CA
222 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
222 Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular History Schools award.

Rank College Location
228 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
228 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK
228 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
231 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
231 Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
231 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
231 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO
231 The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX
231 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI
231 Grossmont College El Cajon, CA
231 Crafton Hills College Yucaipa, CA
231 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
231 Marquette University Milwaukee, WI
231 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
231 Northeastern University Boston, MA
231 Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC
231 Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PA
245 Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NM
245 Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OH
245 Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY
245 Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY
245 Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA
245 The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX
245 Baylor University Waco, TX
245 Long Beach City College Long Beach, CA
245 Brandeis University Waltham, MA
245 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
255 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
255 The University of Montana Missoula, MT
255 El Camino College Torrance, CA
255 Worcester State University Worcester, MA
255 SUNY Geneseo Geneseo, NY
255 College of Charleston Charleston, SC
255 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
262 Rice University Houston, TX
262 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY
262 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
262 University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MN
262 College of the Canyons Santa Clarita, CA
262 Montana State University Bozeman, MT
262 St John’s University - New York Queens, NY
262 Truman State University Kirksville, MO
262 DePaul University Chicago, IL
262 Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CA
262 University of Houston - Downtown Houston, TX
273 University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK
273 Rutgers University - Newark Newark, NJ
273 University of Rochester Rochester, NY
273 Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX
273 Troy University Troy, AL
273 College of the Desert Palm Desert, CA
273 Columbia College Columbia, MO
273 SUNY Empire State College Saratoga Springs, NY
281 California State University - Channel Islands Camarillo, CA
281 Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CT
281 Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH
281 University of Mississippi University, MS
281 Golden West College Huntington Beach, CA
281 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
281 University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA
281 University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
281 Villanova University Villanova, PA
281 Oberlin College Oberlin, OH
291 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
291 University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA
291 Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ
291 Davidson College Davidson, NC
291 Modesto Junior College Modesto, CA
291 Smith College Northampton, MA
291 Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VA
291 Bates College Lewiston, ME
291 Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CA
291 Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, MO
291 Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR
291 University of Wyoming Laramie, WY
291 Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT
291 University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA
291 Williams College Williamstown, MA
291 University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WI

History by Region

View the Most Popular History Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

History Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
History 32,731

Related Major Annual Graduates
Education 327,871
Social Sciences 205,984
Psychology 195,678
Communication & Journalism 120,571
Family, Consumer & Human Sciences 55,820

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Abraham Ortelius.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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