College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best History Schools in the The Plains States Region

40 Colleges in the United States
1,045 History Degrees Awarded
$44,196 Avg Early-Career Salary

History degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their history programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 40 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 the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall history education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in History

1

Washington University In St Louis tops our 2027 ranking of the best history schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 21 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553. More information about a degree in history from Washington University In St Louis

2

A rank of #2 makes Creighton University one of the top schools for history. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 history degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $64,369 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for Creighton University

3
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

A rank of #3 makes Grinnell College one of the top schools for history. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Grinnell. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 15 history degrees were awarded at Grinnell College in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $39,687 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Read more about the history program at Grinnell College

4
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in history, ranking #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. About 23 history degrees were awarded at Carleton College in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Carleton College earn around $45,096 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,566. See the full history program report for Carleton College

5

University Of Missouri Columbia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 62 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $26,996 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. More information about a degree in history from University Of Missouri Columbia

6

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #6 position for history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 71 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $26,635 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full history program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

7

University Of North Dakota came in at #7 for history this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 13 history degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $64,378 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,110. See the full history program report for University Of North Dakota

8

Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best history schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 history students who graduated with this degree at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn around $67,909 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,499. Read more about the history program at Maryville University Of Saint Louis

9
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College earned the #9 position for history this year. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Macalester College awarded about 11 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $42,517 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,147. See the full history program report for Macalester College

10
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #10 for history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of Kansas awarded about 45 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $42,451 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in history from University Of Kansas

11
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University came in at #11 for history this year. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. Bellevue University graduates 33% of students within six years. About 15 history degrees were awarded at Bellevue University in the most recent year. Graduates of the history program make about $61,548 in their early career. Bellevue University graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Bellevue University

12

Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #12 among the best history schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 20 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. Read more about the history program at Saint Louis University Main Campus

13

Iowa State University earned the #13 position for history this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 55 history degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Iowa State University earn around $41,294 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,007 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for Iowa State University

14

Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #14 position for history this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 history degrees were awarded at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their history degree from Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn around $74,532 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,187. More information about a degree in history from Missouri University Of Science And Technology

15

Kansas State University landed the #15 spot for history this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 21 history degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $33,744. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $19,539 in student loans. Get the full history details for Kansas State University

16
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #16 for history this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Iowa awarded about 70 history degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $33,117 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,978. More information about a degree in history from University Of Iowa

17
Loras College crest
Loras College
Dubuque, IA

Loras College landed the #17 spot for history this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 history students who graduated with this degree at Loras College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their history degree from Loras College earn around $43,117 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,528. Read more about the history program at Loras College

18

University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #18 among the best history schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 history students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $33,013. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full history program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

19
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College placed #19 among the best history schools. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Cornell College graduates 62% of students within six years. Cornell College awarded about 12 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $35,545 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the history program at Cornell College

20

Fort Hays State University came in at #20 for history this year. This large public university is located in the town of Hays. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 history students who graduated with this degree at Fort Hays State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $49,775. Typical student debt for the program is $25,967. See the full history program report for Fort Hays State University

21

Pittsburg State University placed #21 among the best history schools. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Pittsburg State University graduates 51% of students within six years. Pittsburg State University awarded about 34 history degrees in the most recent data year. History graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,669 to complete this degree. Get the full history details for Pittsburg State University

22

University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #22 spot for history this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Duluth. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. About 27 history degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. History graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $42,297 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,743. More information about a degree in history from University Of Minnesota Duluth

23

Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #23 spot for history this year. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 14 history degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates carry a median of $26,197 in student loans. More information about a degree in history from Gustavus Adolphus College

24

University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #24 for history this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 43 history degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $39,340. Typical student debt for the program is $18,250. See the full history program report for University Of Nebraska At Kearney

25
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University placed #25 among the best history schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Parkville. About 37% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 history students who graduated with this degree at Park University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the history program make about $52,616 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete this degree. Read more about the history program at Park University

Rest of the Top 40 History Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong history education:

26
27
28
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
29
30
31
32
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN
33
34
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
35
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
36
37
38
39
40

View All History Rankings >

Notes and References

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 · 40 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