Master’s Degrees in History
Education Levels of History Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 3,626 people earned their master's degree in history. This makes it the 24th most popular master's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in history at each degree level.
Education Level | Number of Grads |
---|---|
Master’s Degree | 3,626 |
Doctor’s Degree | 807 |
Graduate Certificate | 201 |
Earnings of History Majors With Master’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in history is $44,930. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $34,994 and the high is $51,923.

Student Debt
We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for history students who are master's degree holders.
Student Diversity
More men than women pursue master's degrees in history. About 51.0% of graduates in this field are male.
Gender | Number of Grads |
---|---|
Men | 1,851 |
Women | 1,775 |

The racial-ethnic distribution of history master’s degree students is as follows:
Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
---|---|
Asian | 75 |
Black or African American | 168 |
Hispanic or Latino | 360 |
White | 2,577 |
International Students | 155 |
Other Races/Ethnicities | 291 |

Most Popular History Programs for Master’s Degrees
There are 380 colleges that offer a master’s degree in history. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
The most popular school in the United States for history students seekinga master's degree is Southern New Hampshire University. Roughly 134,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,467 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 218 people received their master's degree in history from SNHU. Around 13% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 53% were women. Southern New Hampshire University history graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,930.
American Public University System is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in history. Roughly 50,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,400 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,650 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 177 people received their master's degree in history from American Military University. Around 11% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 27% were women. American Public University System history graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,930.
The 3rd most popular school in the country for history majors who are seeking their master's degree is Liberty University. Each year, around 93,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,740 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 148 people received their master's degree in history from Liberty University. Of these students, 45% were women and 16% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Liberty University history graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,930.
Arizona State University - Skysong comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in history. Each year, around 53,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,170 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 135 people received their master's degree in history from ASU - Skysong. Around 20% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 43% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in history at Arizona State University - Skysong make a median salary of 44,930.
Pace University - New York is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in history. Each year, around 12,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $49,550 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $28,091 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 120 people received their master's degree in history from Pace University. About 52% of this group were women, and 9% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in history at Pace University - New York make a median salary of 44,930.
The 6th most popular school in the country for history majors who are seeking their master's degree is Norwich University. Roughly 3,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $46,860 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $22,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 63 people received their master's degree in history from Norwich. Around 10% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 31% were women. Norwich University history graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,930.
Ashland University comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in history. Each year, around 4,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $25,200 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,776 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 57 people received their master's degree in history from Ashland. Around 10% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 52% were women. Data shows that Ashland graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,930.
The 8th most popular school in the country for history majors who are seeking their master's degree is Yale University. Each year, around 12,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,700 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $48,300 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 55 people received their master's degree in history from Yale. Of these students, 42% were women and 28% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Yale graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,930.
The 9th most popular school in the country for history majors who are seeking their master's degree is Columbia University in the City of New York. Roughly 30,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,526 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $53,576 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 53 people received their master's degree in history from Columbia. About 77% of this group were women, and 17% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Columbia graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,930.
The 10th most popular school in the country for history majors who are seeking their master's degree is New York University. Each year, around 52,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $60,438 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $38,826 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 50 people received their master's degree in history from NYU. About 58% of this group were women, and 31% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that NYU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,930.
The 11th most popular school in the country for history majors who are seeking their master's degree is Harvard University. Roughly 30,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $54,269 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $54,032 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 42 people received their master's degree in history from Harvard. About 53% of this group were women, and 25% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Harvard University history graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,930.
Missouri State University - Springfield is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in history. Roughly 23,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,812 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 36 people received their master's degree in history from Missouri State. Around 13% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 47% were women. Missouri State University - Springfield history graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,930.
Sam Houston State University comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in history. Each year, around 21,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,856 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,765 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 34 people received their master's degree in history from SHSU. About 50% of this group were women, and 15% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in history at Sam Houston State University make a median salary of 44,930.
University of Nebraska at Kearney is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in history. Roughly 6,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,480 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,432 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 29 people received their master's degree in history from UNK. Around 7% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 23% were women. Data shows that UNK graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,930.
George Mason University comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in history. Each year, around 38,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,095 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,726 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 29 people received their master's degree in history from GMU. Of these students, 44% were women and 15% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. George Mason University history graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,930.
The Graduate Center, CUNY is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in history. Roughly 9,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,930 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 28 people received their master's degree in history from The Graduate Center. Of these students, 29% were women and 14% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that The Graduate Center graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,930.
Simmons University is the 17th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in history. Roughly 6,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $44,208 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $28,500 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 27 people received their master's degree in history from Simmons. Simmons University history graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $44,930.
California State University - Fullerton comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in history. Each year, around 42,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 25 people received their master's degree in history from Cal State Fullerton. Around 64% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 55% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in history at California State University - Fullerton make a median salary of 44,930.
University of North Carolina at Wilmington is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in history. Each year, around 17,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,443 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,979 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 25 people received their master's degree in history from UNCW. About 55% of this group were women, and 10% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UNCW graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,930.
California State University - Los Angeles comes in at #20 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in history. Roughly 26,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 24 people received their master's degree in history from Cal State LA. Around 79% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 43% were women. Data shows that Cal State LA graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $44,930.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to history that offer master’s degrees.
Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
---|---|
Social Sciences | 19,295 |
Theology & Religious Vocations | 13,310 |
Communication & Journalism | 12,991 |
English Language & Literature | 8,374 |
Family, Consumer & Human Sciences | 3,059 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By Abraham Ortelius under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.