by our College Data Analytics TeamHistory 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 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 Brown University, our #1 school for history. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. About 96% of students finish within six years. Brown University awarded about 66 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Brown University earn a median of $42,296 early in their careers. Brown University graduates carry a median of $13,491 in student loans. Read more about the history program at Brown University
University Of Rhode Island is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. University Of Rhode Island awarded about 36 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $34,319 early in their careers. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $21,469 in student loans. See the full history program report for University Of Rhode Island
Students looking for a strong history program will find one at Roger Williams University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Bristol, Roger Williams University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 history degrees were awarded at Roger Williams University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Roger Williams University earn around $48,664 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,676 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Roger Williams University
Providence College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. About 86% of students finish within six years. Providence College awarded about 20 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $41,923 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for Providence College
Rhode Island College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #5. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Rhode Island College graduates 48% of students within six years. Rhode Island College awarded about 14 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Rhode Island College earn around $31,981 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,141. See the full history program report for Rhode Island College
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.