2026 Best History Schools in District of Columbia
History programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best history schools.
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Best Schools for History in District of Columbia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall history education in District of Columbia.
Top Schools in History
Leading the list is Georgetown University, our #1 school for history. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 66 history students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Georgetown University earn around $49,876 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,640.
More information about a degree in history from Georgetown University
George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #2. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. George Washington University awarded about 38 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $38,927 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in history from George Washington University
American University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 53 history students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from American University earn around $45,713 in the first couple years of their career. American University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in history from American University
Catholic University Of America came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Catholic University Of America graduates 80% of students within six years. Catholic University Of America awarded about 22 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $65,120 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in history from Catholic University Of America
A rank of #5 makes Howard University one of the top schools for history. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Howard University awarded about 22 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $58,495 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,498.
More information about a degree in history from Howard University
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 7 schools evaluated.
- 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.