Compare 577 History. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $46,905. Top programs: $136,403+.
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 | Dartmouth CollegePrivate | $136,403 | 40 | $17,500 | Excellent | $44,481 | Good |
| #2 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $112,377 | 41 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Excellent |
| #3 | Yale UniversityPrivate | $109,947 | 94 | $12,975 | Excellent | $29,769 | Excellent |
| #4 | Amherst CollegePrivate | $103,601 | 23 | $13,740 | Excellent | $47,598 | Good |
| #5 | $100,087 | 19 | $19,500 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good | |
| #6 | $98,079 | 111 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #7 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $88,517 | 64 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Good |
| #8 | Brown UniversityPrivate | $85,520 | 83 | $11,428 | Excellent | $48,245 | Manageable |
| #9 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $82,031 | 50 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Manageable |
| #10 | Princeton UniversityPrivate | $80,347 | 68 | $10,320 | Excellent | $41,000 | Manageable |
| #11 | Boston CollegePrivate | $80,073 | 64 | $19,000 | Excellent | $45,000 | Manageable |
| #12 | $79,940 | 82 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Manageable | |
| #13 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $78,966 | 63 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Good |
| #14 | Colgate UniversityPrivate | $75,784 | 31 | $15,000 | Excellent | $59,463 | Challenging |
| #15 | Georgetown UniversityPrivate | $75,501 | 46 | $15,500 | Excellent | $33,944 | Manageable |
| #16 | New York UniversityPrivate | $74,545 | 118 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | High |
| #17 | $72,630 | 34 | $22,996 | Excellent | $36,278 | Manageable | |
| #18 | College Of The Holy CrossPrivate | $72,423 | 65 | $27,000 | Excellent | $39,032 | Challenging |
| #19 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $72,389 | 54 | $24,300 | Excellent | $37,095 | Challenging |
| #20 | $71,187 | 139 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Manageable | |
| #21 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $70,734 | 72 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #22 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | $70,679 | 139 | $14,000 | Excellent | $28,000 | Manageable |
| #23 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $70,423 | 57 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Challenging |
| #24 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $69,988 | 38 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Manageable |
| #25 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $69,820 | 49 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Manageable |
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 →
