College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best History Schools in Illinois

19 Colleges in the United States
767 History Degrees Awarded
$38,291 Avg Early-Career Salary

History programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for history students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for History in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall history education in Illinois.

Top Schools in History

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in history. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. 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. Graduates of the history program make about $50,161 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $15,917 in student loans. Get the full history details for Northwestern University

2

University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. 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. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about the history program at University Of Chicago

3

Wheaton College Illinois is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 11 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $43,654 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,292. More information about a degree in history from Wheaton College Illinois

4
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

A rank of #4 makes Elmhurst College one of the top schools for history. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Elmhurst College graduates 70% of students within six years. Elmhurst College awarded about 13 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $51,232 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for Elmhurst College

5
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #5 spot this year. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 history degrees were awarded at Lake Forest College in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Lake Forest College earn around $41,168 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,661. See the full history program report for Lake Forest College

6

Illinois State University earned the #6 position for history this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 134 history students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $40,465. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at Illinois State University

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 103 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $26,436 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about the history program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8

Loyola University Chicago landed the #8 spot for history this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 67 history degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $31,079 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. More information about a degree in history from Loyola University Chicago

9
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #9 spot for history this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 13 history degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Aurora University earn around $51,483 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Aurora University

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #10 spot for history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 34 history degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $26,474 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the history program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

11

Northern Illinois University earned the #11 position for history this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 44 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $33,288. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at Northern Illinois University

12

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #12 for history this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 42 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $26,916. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

13
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #13 for history this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 history students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $36,889 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Depaul University

14

Northeastern Illinois University placed #14 among the best history schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 12 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $39,102. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Northeastern Illinois University

15

Eastern Illinois University placed #15 among the best history schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 history students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $32,149. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Eastern Illinois University

16

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #16 among the best history schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 18 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $30,101 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Southern Illinois University Carbondale

17

Augustana College Illinois earned the #17 position for history this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rock Island. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 history students who graduated with this degree at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent data year. History graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,243. Read more about the history program at Augustana College Illinois

18

University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #18 position for history this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Springfield awarded about 24 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $33,297 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,892 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for University Of Illinois At Springfield

19

Western Illinois University earned the #19 position for history this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. About 45% of students finish within six years. Western Illinois University awarded about 17 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $47,926 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Western Illinois University

View All History Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options