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2027 Best History Schools in Virginia

19 Colleges in the United States
1,422 History Degrees Awarded
$38,181 Avg Early-Career Salary

History is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their history programs.

College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best history schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for History in Virginia

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

Top Schools in History

1

College Of William And Mary is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in history. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 140 history degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. History graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $31,595 early in their careers. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from College Of William And Mary

2
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of University of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 18 history degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of Richmond earn around $53,815 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,634 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for University Of Richmond

3

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 113 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $34,028 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,352 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from University Of Virginia Main Campus

4

A rank of #4 makes Washington And Lee University one of the top schools for history. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 12 history degrees were awarded at Washington And Lee University in the most recent year. History graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,074. More information about a degree in history from Washington And Lee University

5
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 70 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $29,000. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for James Madison University

6

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #6 spot for history this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 38 history degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $33,319. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $20,499 in student loans. Read more about the history program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

7

Virginia Military Institute came in at #7 for history this year. This small public university is located in the town of Lexington. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 history students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Military Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Virginia Military Institute earn around $42,543 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in history from Virginia Military Institute

8

George Mason University landed the #8 spot for history this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 100 history degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from George Mason University earn around $38,921 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Get the full history details for George Mason University

9
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington landed the #9 spot for history this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $31,965 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,018 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for University Of Mary Washington

10

Christopher Newport University earned the #10 position for history this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 history students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Christopher Newport University earn around $29,386 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in history from Christopher Newport University

11

Old Dominion University came in at #11 for history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Old Dominion University awarded about 48 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $36,733. Typical student debt for the program is $24,875. Read more about the history program at Old Dominion University

12

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #12 among the best history schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 69 history students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $29,794 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750. See the full history program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

13
Hampden Sydney College crest
Hampden Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA

Hampden Sydney College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. Set in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 25 history degrees were awarded at Hampden Sydney College in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $42,949 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at Hampden Sydney College

14
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Radford. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 21 history degrees were awarded at Radford University in the most recent year. History graduates of Radford University earn a median of $28,239 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for Radford University

15
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 628 history degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $39,823 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in history from Liberty University

16
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University placed #16 among the best history schools. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 history degrees were awarded at Longwood University in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Longwood University earn around $37,404 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,988. Read more about the history program at Longwood University

17
Bridgewater College crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College came in at #17 for history this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 history degrees were awarded at Bridgewater College in the most recent year. History graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $32,771 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at Bridgewater College

18
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College earned the #18 position for history this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Salem. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 14 history degrees were awarded at Roanoke College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Roanoke College generally make around $25,940. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the history program at Roanoke College

19
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University came in at #19 for history this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Regent University graduates 58% of students within six years. Regent University awarded about 13 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $50,406. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in history from Regent University

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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.

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