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2025 Best History Schools in the Plains States Region

25 Colleges in the Plains States Region
1,661 History Degrees Awarded
$33,218 Avg Early-Career Salary
History is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #30 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 25 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 1,661 degrees in history annually.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great History School

Best History Schools in the Plains States Region Your choice of history school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for history schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

History Rankings by Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in History
Master's Degrees in History
Doctor's Degrees in History

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for History in the Plains States Region

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the history degree levels they offer.

10 Top Plains States Region Schools in History

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
108 History Degrees Awarded
$26,635 Median Starting Salary

It's hard to beat University of Minnesota - Twin Cities if you want to pursue a degree in history. UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the city of Minneapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #45 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were approximately 108 history students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the history program state that they receive average early career income of $26,635.

More information about a degree in history from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
54 History Degrees Awarded
$41,294 Median Starting Salary

Iowa State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history. Iowa State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Ames. A Best Colleges rank of #88 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Iowa State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 54 history students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available. Those history students who get their degree from Iowa State University make $8,076 more than the typical history graduate.

More information about a degree in history from Iowa State University

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BA in History Program Name

Gain a rich foundation of knowledge ranging from early history to modern times with this online bachelor's degree in history from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BA in History from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
73 History Degrees Awarded
$33,117 Median Starting Salary

Every student who is interested in history needs to take a look at University of Iowa. Located in the city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #80 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.

There were about 73 history students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the history program state that they receive average early career wages of $33,117.

More information about a degree in history from University of Iowa

4
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In IA

Grinnell College is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in history. Grinnell is a small private not-for-profit college located in the town of Grinnell. A Best Colleges rank of #318 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Grinnell is a great college overall.

There were roughly 22 history students who graduated with this degree at Grinnell in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in history from Grinnell College

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In ND

Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University is a public university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #382 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means North Dakota State University is a great university overall.

There were about 13 history students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in history from North Dakota State University - Main Campus

6
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In MO
31.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the remote town of Rolla, Missouri University of Science and Technology is a public university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #259 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Missouri University of Science and Technology is a great university overall.

There were about 19 history students who graduated with this degree at Missouri University of Science and Technology in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in history from Missouri University of Science and Technology

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
43 History Degrees Awarded
$33,013 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Lincoln, UNL is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #207 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UNL is a great university overall.

There were approximately 43 history students who graduated with this degree at UNL in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, history degree recipients typically earn around $33,013 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in history from University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
MA in History Program Name

The online Master of Arts in History degree program can deepen your understanding of how history is made.

More information about a degree in MA in History from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
44 History Degrees Awarded
$42,451 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #192 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means KU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 44 history students who graduated with this degree at KU in the most recent year we have data available. Those history students who get their degree from University of Kansas earn $9,233 more than the standard history graduate.

More information about a degree in history from University of Kansas

9

Located in the small city of Manhattan, K -State is a public university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #269 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means K -State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 29 history students who graduated with this degree at K -State in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, history degree recipients usually earn about $33,744 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in history from Kansas State University

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
65 History Degrees Awarded
30.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #131 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Mizzou is a great university overall.

There were approximately 65 history students who graduated with this degree at Mizzou in the most recent data year. After graduation, history degree recipients generally make an average of $26,996 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in history from University of Missouri - Columbia

Best History Colleges by State

Explore the best history colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Minnesota 284 393
Missouri 283 487
Kansas 266 219
Iowa 264 336
Nebraska 238 224
North Dakota 210 49
South Dakota 204 70

View All Rankings >

History is one of 0 different types of History programs to choose from.

History Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General History 1,633
History and Philosophy of Science and Technology 7
Public/Applied History 6
Military History 5
Other History 5
American History (United States) 4
European History 1

View All History Concentrations >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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