Compare 556 History. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $41,648. Top programs: $114,276+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, History programs tell a different story. Across 556 programs, earnings range from $62,508 to $114,276—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Topping the list, Amherst College's program delivers $114,276 in median earnings, nearly triple the field average of $41,648. Harvard follows at $89,238, while Duke rounds out the top three at $83,943. These outcomes reflect program-specific strengths, not just institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Amherst graduates borrow $13,740 and face just a 2.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Harvard achieves similar affordability with a 2.9% student burden, proving top programs can deliver both strong outcomes and manageable debt.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Amherst CollegePrivate | $114,276 | 33 | $13,740 | Excellent | $47,598 | Good |
| #2 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | $89,238 | 145 | $14,000 | Excellent | $28,000 | Good |
| #3 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $83,943 | 63 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Good |
| #4 | Dartmouth CollegePrivate | $82,121 | 50 | $17,500 | Excellent | $44,481 | Manageable |
| #5 | Yale UniversityPrivate | $77,988 | 108 | $12,975 | Excellent | $29,769 | Good |
| #6 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $76,695 | 64 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Manageable |
| #7 | Bates CollegePrivate | $74,121 | 18 | $14,275 | Excellent | $70,222 | High |
| #8 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $72,818 | 51 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Manageable |
| #9 | Williams CollegePrivate | $72,283 | 39 | $12,761 | Excellent | $31,178 | Manageable |
| #10 | $70,499 | 148 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #11 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $70,345 | 34 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Manageable |
| #12 | $67,364 | 27 | $27,000 | Good | $61,178 | High | |
| #13 | $67,315 | 28 | $19,500 | Excellent | $38,000 | Challenging | |
| #14 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $65,725 | 68 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #15 | College Of The Holy CrossPrivate | $65,505 | 39 | $27,000 | Good | $39,032 | Challenging |
| #16 | Providence CollegePrivate | $65,233 | 33 | $27,000 | Good | $46,300 | High |
| #17 | University Of ChicagoPrivate | $65,148 | 72 | $15,000 | Excellent | $33,297 | Manageable |
| #18 | $64,539 | 42 | $22,996 | Excellent | $36,278 | Challenging | |
| #19 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $63,592 | 45 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Challenging |
| #20 | $62,508 | 25 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Challenging | |
| #21 | Brown UniversityPrivate | $62,308 | 87 | $11,428 | Excellent | $48,245 | Challenging |
| #22 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | $61,916 | 34 | $21,500 | Excellent | $30,000 | Challenging |
| #23 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $60,884 | 48 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Manageable |
| #24 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $60,522 | 50 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Manageable |
| #25 | $59,624 | 64 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
