Compare 20 History. programs in Virginia. Average earnings: $45,947.
History programs produce graduates earning between $18,401 and $67,315—a $49K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 20 ranked programs in Virginia, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Washington And Lee University's History program leads with graduates earning $67,315, well above the $45,947 state average. Virginia Military Institute follows closely at $64,539, while University of Virginia produces graduates earning $58,287. This demonstrates how program-level factors drive outcomes more than overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Washington And Lee graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 6.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Virginia Military Institute achieves similar results with a 7.5% burden, proving that top programs can also be financially manageable.
Highest program earnings: $67,315
Strong outcomes ($64,539) with 82% acceptance
6.0% payment burden | Excellent
19.4% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $67,315 | 28 | $19,500 | Excellent | $38,000 | Challenging | |
| #2 | $64,539 | 42 | $22,996 | Excellent | $36,278 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $58,287 | 149 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Challenging | |
| #4 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $50,874 | 84 | $19,500 | Good | $25,142 | Challenging |
| #5 | Radford UniversityPublic | $49,327 | 30 | $24,000 | Manageable | $22,158 | High |
| #6 | William & MaryPublic | $49,311 | 97 | $18,500 | Good | $30,326 | High |
| #7 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $48,338 | 62 | $20,093 | Good | $37,285 | High |
| #8 | $47,665 | 60 | $21,500 | Good | $35,325 | High | |
| #9 | Roanoke CollegePrivate | $46,933 | 21 | $27,000 | Manageable | $40,178 | High |
| #10 | Bridgewater CollegePrivate | $46,821 | 19 | $26,000 | Manageable | $37,735 | High |
| #11 | $44,952 | 40 | $25,000 | Manageable | $44,122 | High | |
| #12 | Randolph-Macon CollegePrivate | $43,971 | 11 | $27,000 | Manageable | $46,254 | High |
| #13 | Hampden-Sydney CollegePrivate | $42,949 | 33 | $26,000 | Manageable | $61,239 | High |
| #14 | Old Dominion UniversityPublic | $41,996 | 52 | $24,000 | Manageable | $18,866 | High |
| #15 | Longwood UniversityPublic | $41,782 | 35 | $25,000 | Manageable | $36,395 | High |
| #16 | $40,375 | 65 | $21,500 | Manageable | $23,585 | High | |
| #17 | $39,932 | 43 | $20,500 | Manageable | $26,240 | High | |
| #18 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $39,608 | 195 | $24,500 | Challenging | $16,398 | High |
| #19 | $35,572 | 9 | $16,750 | Manageable | $15,555 | High | |
| #20 | Regent UniversityPrivate | $18,401 | 9 | $24,534 | High | $15,513 | High |
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 →
