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2027 Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region

85 Colleges in the United States
2,744 History Degrees Awarded
$39,253 Avg Early-Career Salary

History is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 85 schools to find the best for history students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for History in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the history degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in History

1

No school ranked higher than Case Western Reserve University this year for history. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cleveland. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 history students who graduated with this degree at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for Case Western Reserve University

2
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #2. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 13 history degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Butler University earn around $68,222 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,351 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at Butler University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for history. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 238 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $35,959 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,909 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

University Of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 39 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $39,522 in their early career. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. See the full history program report for University Of Notre Dame

5

A rank of #5 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for history. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 66 history students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. History graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $50,161 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $15,917 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Northwestern University

6

University Of Chicago landed the #6 spot for history this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 71 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of Chicago earn around $46,616 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. More information about a degree in history from University Of Chicago

7
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College earned the #7 position for history this year. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hope College awarded about 13 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $39,644. Hope College graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans. See the full history program report for Hope College

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #8 for history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 92 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $40,587 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,494 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

9
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College earned the #9 position for history this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 history degrees were awarded at Oberlin College in the most recent year. History graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $25,146 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,050. Read more about the history program at Oberlin College

10
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College came in at #10 for history this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Gambier. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Kenyon College awarded about 23 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of $37,976 early in their careers. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Read more about the history program at Kenyon College

11

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 11 history degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for Wheaton College Illinois

12
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Xavier University awarded about 17 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Xavier University earn around $55,045 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for Xavier University

13
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College placed #13 among the best history schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Elmhurst College awarded about 13 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. See the full history program report for Elmhurst College

14

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #14 position for history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 83 history students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. History graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $31,880 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,754 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for Indiana University Bloomington

15
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College came in at #15 for history this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 15 history students who graduated with this degree at Lake Forest College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $41,168. Lake Forest College graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Get the full history details for Lake Forest College

16

Illinois State University placed #16 among the best history schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 134 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $40,465 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for Illinois State University

17

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #17 spot for history this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 103 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $26,436 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

18

Loyola University Chicago came in at #18 for history this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 67 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $31,079 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. Read more about the history program at Loyola University Chicago

19
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #19 for history this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 54 history students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. History graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,980 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Purdue University Main Campus

20
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN

Depauw University came in at #20 for history this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Greencastle. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depauw University awarded about 13 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Depauw University earn around $46,127 in the first couple years of their career. Depauw University graduates carry a median of $26,174 in student loans. See the full history program report for Depauw University

21
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University earned the #21 position for history this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. Denison University awarded about 11 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $39,797 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,360. More information about a degree in history from Denison University

22
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University landed the #22 spot for history this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 history degrees were awarded at Marquette University in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $36,907 in their early career. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the history program at Marquette University

23
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University landed the #23 spot for history this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. Cedarville University awarded about 10 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $57,104 in their early career. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Cedarville University

24
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Aurora University awarded about 13 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $51,483 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,507. Read more about the history program at Aurora University

25

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best history schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 114 history degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $26,663 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full history details for Ohio State University Main Campus

Rest of the Top 50 History Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s history ranking:

26
Albion College crest
Albion College
Albion, MI
27
28
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
29
30
31
32
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH
33
34
Wabash College crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN
35
36
37
38
39
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
40
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
41
42
Carthage College crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI
43
University Of Indianapolis crest
University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
44
45
46
47
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
48
49
50
Lawrence University crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

View All History Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 85 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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