by our College Data Analytics TeamHistory is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their history programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools to find the best for history students.
What’s on this page:
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.
Leading the list is Hope College, our #1 school for history. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $26,334. Get the full history details for Hope College
Students looking for a strong history program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 92 history degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent 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. Typical student debt for the program is $19,494. Get the full history details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Students looking for a strong history program will find one at Albion College, which ranked #3. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 history students who graduated with this degree at Albion College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Albion College earn around $40,829 in the first couple years of their career. Albion College graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Read more about the history program at Albion College
Michigan State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan State University awarded about 45 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $32,434 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Michigan State University
Students looking for a strong history program will find one at Oakland University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Oakland University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 36 history degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $36,257. Typical student debt for the program is $22,875. See the full history program report for Oakland University
Grand Valley State University came in at #6 for history this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 64 history students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. History graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $25,774 early in their careers. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $25,569 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Grand Valley State University
Central Michigan University came in at #7 for history this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 history students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Central Michigan University earn around $33,000 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,905. Get the full history details for Central Michigan University
Wayne State University placed #8 among the best history schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 history students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $41,874. Wayne State University graduates carry a median of $32,544 in student loans. Get the full history details for Wayne State University
Western Michigan University came in at #9 for history this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Western Michigan University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 20 history degrees were awarded at Western Michigan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Western Michigan University earn around $27,087 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for Western Michigan University
Northern Michigan University came in at #10 for history this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Northern Michigan University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 history students who graduated with this degree at Northern Michigan University in the most recent data year. History graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $32,675 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at Northern Michigan University
Saginaw Valley State University placed #11 among the best history schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of University Center. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Saginaw Valley State University awarded about 13 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $38,628. Saginaw Valley State University graduates carry a median of $29,702 in student loans. Get the full history details for Saginaw Valley State University
Eastern Michigan University landed the #12 spot for history this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Eastern Michigan University awarded about 29 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $28,414 early in their careers. Eastern Michigan University graduates carry a median of $29,118 in student loans. Get the full history details for Eastern Michigan University
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #13 position for history this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. University Of Michigan Flint awarded about 13 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $51,692. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for University Of Michigan Flint
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 13 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.