Compare 48 History. programs in New York. Average earnings: $45,021.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, History programs tell a different story. Across 48 programs in New York, earnings range from $48,092 to $72,818—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The $25K spread proves evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Cornell's History program leads with graduates earning $72,818, followed closely by Columbia at $70,499. But the story extends beyond Ivy League names—Hobart William Smith Colleges delivers $67,364 with a 57% acceptance rate, demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't limited to the most selective institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 3.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, CUNY Queens College leads with a 14.3% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $72,818 | 51 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Manageable |
| #2 | $70,499 | 148 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $67,364 | 27 | $27,000 | Good | $61,178 | High | |
| #4 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $58,741 | 69 | $24,300 | Good | $37,095 | High |
| #5 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | $57,714 | 105 | $18,500 | Excellent | $27,270 | Challenging |
| #6 | Ithaca CollegePrivate | $55,467 | 10 | $24,000 | Good | $53,476 | High |
| #7 | New York UniversityPrivate | $55,058 | 112 | $20,500 | Good | $64,795 | High |
| #8 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $54,025 | 63 | $26,000 | Good | $39,841 | High |
| #9 | Cuny Hunter CollegePublic | $53,778 | 41 | $11,000 | Excellent | $20,252 | Manageable |
| #10 | Suny OneontaPublic | $53,613 | 20 | $19,812 | Good | $24,845 | Challenging |
| #11 | Colgate UniversityPrivate | $53,541 | 29 | $15,000 | Excellent | $59,463 | High |
| #12 | Siena CollegePrivate | $52,396 | 24 | $26,561 | Manageable | $40,800 | High |
| #13 | St Lawrence UniversityPrivate | $52,170 | 26 | $27,000 | Manageable | $44,628 | High |
| #14 | Cuny Queens CollegePublic | $51,989 | 92 | $10,298 | Excellent | $17,680 | Manageable |
| #15 | $51,985 | 46 | $14,350 | Excellent | $15,568 | Manageable | |
| #16 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $49,236 | 73 | $18,228 | Good | $21,400 | Challenging |
| #17 | University At AlbanyPublic | $49,151 | 83 | $19,500 | Good | $22,398 | Challenging |
| #18 | Hofstra UniversityPrivate | $48,462 | 29 | $23,621 | Manageable | $56,149 | High |
| #19 | Suny Old WestburyPublic | $48,455 | 35 | $14,997 | Excellent | $16,500 | Manageable |
| #20 | Barnard CollegePrivate | $48,092 | 37 | $18,000 | Good | $65,000 | High |
| #21 | Suny College At GeneseoPublic | $47,393 | 40 | $19,500 | Good | $22,092 | Challenging |
| #22 | $47,034 | 42 | $21,500 | Manageable | $24,455 | High | |
| #23 | $46,864 | 12 | $11,000 | Excellent | $16,130 | Manageable | |
| #24 | Cuny City CollegePublic | $46,015 | 45 | $11,990 | Excellent | $17,460 | Challenging |
| #25 | Cuny Brooklyn CollegePublic | $45,514 | 29 | $11,000 | Excellent | $17,273 | 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 →
