2027 Best History Schools in New York
History is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 54 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 New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall history education in New York.
Top Schools in History
Our analysis ranked New York University the best school in the country for a degree in history. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 106 history students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from New York University generally make around $39,636. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the history program at New York University
Colgate University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 history students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. Typical student debt for the program is $16,286.
See the full history program report for Colgate University
A rank of #3 makes Barnard College one of the top schools for history. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Barnard College awarded about 41 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $48,092 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,425 to complete this degree.
See the full history program report for Barnard College
Cornell University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #4. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 history students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Cornell University earn around $44,706 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,884 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #5 makes Hamilton College one of the top schools for history. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. About 91% of students finish within six years. Hamilton College awarded about 16 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Hamilton College earn around $48,806 in the first couple years of their career. Hamilton College graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans.
See the full history program report for Hamilton College
Vassar College placed #6 among the best history schools. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 29 history degrees were awarded at Vassar College in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $38,461 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
See the full history program report for Vassar College
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #7 position for history this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 history students who graduated with this degree at Cuny College Of Staten Island in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Typical student debt for the program is $12,648.
See the full history program report for Cuny College Of Staten Island
Marist College landed the #8 spot for history this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Marist College awarded about 12 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Marist College earn a median of $60,521 early in their careers. Marist College graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #9 among the best history schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 178 history degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $53,828 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
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Adelphi University came in at #10 for history this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 21 history students who graduated with this degree at Adelphi University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Adelphi University earn around $51,037 in the first couple years of their career. Adelphi University graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans.
Read more about the history program at Adelphi University
Union College New York placed #11 among the best history schools. Set in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Union College New York graduates 80% of students within six years. About 11 history degrees were awarded at Union College New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Union College New York earn around $52,020 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,869.
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Skidmore College landed the #12 spot for history this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Skidmore College graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 history students who graduated with this degree at Skidmore College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Skidmore College generally make around $34,440. Skidmore College graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans.
More information about a degree in history from Skidmore College
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 history students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $61,459. Typical student debt for the program is $11,691.
Read more about the history program at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
Suny At Binghamton landed the #14 spot for history this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Suny At Binghamton graduates 82% of students within six years. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 77 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $24,498 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,596.
Read more about the history program at Suny At Binghamton
Yeshiva University placed #15 among the best history schools. Set in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 history degrees were awarded at Yeshiva University in the most recent year. History graduates of Yeshiva University earn a median of $52,838 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,625.
See the full history program report for Yeshiva University
Ithaca College earned the #16 position for history this year. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 history degrees were awarded at Ithaca College in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $38,328 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,517.
Read more about the history program at Ithaca College
Suny At Albany landed the #17 spot for history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 81 history students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $32,174 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,034.
See the full history program report for Suny At Albany
Syracuse University earned the #18 position for history this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 46 history degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Syracuse University earn around $34,610 in the first couple years of their career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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University At Buffalo landed the #19 spot for history this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Buffalo. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 71 history students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from University At Buffalo earn around $28,857 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,392 to complete this degree.
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Stony Brook University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 86 history degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Stony Brook University earn around $36,426 in the first couple years of their career. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans.
Read more about the history program at Stony Brook University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #21 position for history this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 30 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans.
Get the full history details for Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Cuny Lehman College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 history students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Cuny Lehman College earn around $43,874 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,090.
More information about a degree in history from Cuny Lehman College
Suny College At Oneonta earned the #23 position for history this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 history students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent data year. History graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $36,625 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,750.
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Cuny Hunter College earned the #24 position for history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 history students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. History graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $28,790 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500.
Read more about the history program at Cuny Hunter College
Fordham University landed the #25 spot for history this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 55 history students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $20,075. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in history from Fordham University
Rest of the Top 50 History Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong history education:
View All History Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 54 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.
