Compare 187 History. programs in the South. Average earnings: $40,816.
History programs produce graduates earning between $50,957 and $83,943—a $33K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 187 ranked programs in the South, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Duke University's History program leads with graduates earning $83,943, followed by Rice University at $70,345. The regional average sits at $40,816, but these top performers prove that program-level factors drive outcomes more than overall school rankings—both schools excel through focused academic approaches rather than institutional brand alone.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Duke graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 2.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making strong outcomes genuinely affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $83,943 | 63 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Good |
| #2 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $70,345 | 34 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Manageable |
| #3 | $67,315 | 28 | $19,500 | Excellent | $38,000 | Challenging | |
| #4 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $65,725 | 68 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #5 | $64,539 | 42 | $22,996 | Excellent | $36,278 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $62,508 | 25 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | $61,916 | 34 | $21,500 | Excellent | $30,000 | Challenging |
| #8 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $60,522 | 50 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Manageable |
| #9 | $58,287 | 149 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Challenging | |
| #10 | American UniversityPrivate | $56,450 | 38 | $22,750 | Good | $39,169 | High |
| #11 | $55,900 | 33 | $18,000 | Excellent | $21,495 | Manageable | |
| #12 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $54,332 | 19 | $21,500 | Good | $54,925 | High |
| #13 | $53,322 | 19 | $21,096 | Good | $33,899 | High | |
| #14 | $53,170 | 74 | $17,527 | Excellent | $12,313 | Manageable | |
| #15 | $53,052 | 100 | $19,000 | Good | $35,200 | High | |
| #16 | University Of FloridaPublic | $52,559 | 143 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Manageable |
| #17 | $51,887 | 149 | $17,804 | Good | $32,258 | High | |
| #18 | Centre CollegePrivate | $51,858 | 16 | $27,000 | Manageable | $50,378 | High |
| #19 | $51,573 | 95 | $21,983 | Good | $19,433 | Challenging | |
| #20 | University Of HoustonPublic | $50,957 | 102 | $18,194 | Good | $18,072 | Challenging |
| #21 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $50,874 | 84 | $19,500 | Good | $25,142 | Challenging |
| #22 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $50,737 | 39 | $18,250 | Good | $30,480 | High |
| #23 | $50,734 | 22 | $21,000 | Good | $36,119 | High | |
| #24 | $50,214 | 19 | $26,000 | Manageable | $50,215 | High | |
| #25 | $50,119 | 12 | $22,934 | Good | $14,224 | 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 →
