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2025 Best History Schools in the Southeast Region

101 Colleges in the Southeast Region
6,961 History Degrees Awarded
$33,218 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in history, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #30 most popular program in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 101 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best History Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 6,961 degrees in history to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great History School

Best History Schools in the Southeast Region Your choice of history school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall History School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

History Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in History
Bachelor's Degrees in History
Master's Degrees in History
Doctor's Degrees in History

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best History Schools in the Southeast Region list, to help you choose the best school for you. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for History in the Southeast Region

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the history degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

20 Top Southeast Region Schools in History

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
55 History Degrees Awarded
$60,750 Median Starting Salary

Duke University is a good option for students interested in a degree in history. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Durham. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were roughly 55 history students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available. Those history students who get their degree from Duke University earn $27,532 more than the standard history student.

More information about a degree in history from Duke University

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
63 History Degrees Awarded
$46,856 Median Starting Salary

It is hard to beat Vanderbilt University if you wish to pursue a degree in history. Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were approximately 63 history students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the history degree program at Vanderbilt University get $13,638 more than the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in history from Vanderbilt University

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BA in History Program Name

Gain a rich foundation of knowledge ranging from early history to modern times with this online bachelor's degree in history from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BA in History from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
163 History Degrees Awarded
2.5% Growth in Graduates

University of Virginia - Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in history. University of Virginia is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Charlottesville. A Best Colleges rank of #35 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were about 163 history students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year. After graduating, history degree recipients generally earn an average of $34,028 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in history from University of Virginia - Main Campus

4
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
136 History Degrees Awarded
19.1% Growth in Graduates

University of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in history. UF is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville. A Best Colleges rank of #56 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were approximately 136 history students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the history program make an average of $27,360 for their early career.

More information about a degree in history from University of Florida

5
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
113 History Degrees Awarded
$31,595 Median Starting Salary

William & Mary is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. A Best Colleges rank of #103 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means William & Mary is a great school overall.

There were about 113 history students who graduated with this degree at William & Mary in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the history program report average early career earnings of $31,595.

More information about a degree in history from William & Mary

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
155 History Degrees Awarded
$34,592 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #38 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were about 155 history students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the history program make around $34,592 for their early career.

More information about a degree in history from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

7
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
100 History Degrees Awarded
11.0% Growth in Graduates

Florida State is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Tallahassee. This university ranks 2nd out of 70 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 100 history students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the history program report average early career wages of $27,944.

More information about a degree in history from Florida State University

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
MA in History Program Name

The online Master of Arts in History degree program can deepen your understanding of how history is made.

More information about a degree in MA in History from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
49 History Degrees Awarded
4.1% Growth in Graduates

Emory is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Atlanta. A Best Colleges rank of #31 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were about 49 history students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the history program make an average of $33,710 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in history from Emory University

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
63 History Degrees Awarded
$26,983 Median Starting Salary

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Athens. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 63 history students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the history program state that they receive average early career wages of $26,983.

More information about a degree in history from University of Georgia

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
89 History Degrees Awarded
$27,652 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #99 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UofSC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 89 history students who graduated with this degree at UofSC in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, history degree recipients usually make an average of $27,652 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in history from University of South Carolina - Columbia

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
356 History Degrees Awarded
$50,539 Median Starting Salary

American Military University is a very large private for-profit university located in the town of Charles Town. This university ranks 1st out of 25 schools for overall quality in the state of West Virginia.

There were approximately 356 history students who graduated with this degree at American Military University in the most recent data year. Those history students who get their degree from American Public University System make $17,321 more than the typical history grad.

More information about a degree in history from American Public University System

12
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
60 History Degrees Awarded
6.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were roughly 60 history students who graduated with this degree at Clemson in the most recent data year. History degree recipients from Clemson University receive an earnings boost of approximately $2,981 over the typical earnings of history graduates.

More information about a degree in history from Clemson University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In LA
51 History Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #95 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Tulane is a great university overall.

There were about 51 history students who graduated with this degree at Tulane in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in history from Tulane University of Louisiana

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
118 History Degrees Awarded
$33,474 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 70 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 118 history students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the history program make an average of $33,474 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in history from University of South Florida - Main Campus

15
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
69 History Degrees Awarded
$29,000 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were roughly 69 history students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent data year. After graduating, history degree recipients typically earn about $29,000 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in history from James Madison University

16
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
63 History Degrees Awarded
$33,319 Median Starting Salary

Virginia Tech is a very large public school located in the small city of Blacksburg. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Virginia Tech is a great school overall.

There were about 63 history students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, history degree recipients generally earn an average of $33,319 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in history from Virginia Tech

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
113 History Degrees Awarded
$34,510 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #92 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.

There were about 113 history students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent data year. After graduation, history degree recipients typically make around $34,510 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in history from George Mason University

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
107 History Degrees Awarded
$25,533 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, UA is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 42 colleges for overall quality in the state of Alabama.

There were about 107 history students who graduated with this degree at UA in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the history program make about $25,533 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in history from The University of Alabama

19
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
64 History Degrees Awarded
$27,873 Median Starting Salary

UARK is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Fayetteville. This university ranks 1st out of 36 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arkansas.

There were roughly 64 history students who graduated with this degree at UARK in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the history program earn an average of $27,873 for their early career.

More information about a degree in history from University of Arkansas

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
80 History Degrees Awarded
20.0% Growth in Graduates

UT Knoxville is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Knoxville. This university ranks 2nd out of 41 colleges for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were roughly 80 history students who graduated with this degree at UT Knoxville in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the history program make around $28,713 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in history from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Rest of the Top Best History Schools in the Southeast Region

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best History Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
21 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
22 Auburn University Auburn, AL
23 Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC
24 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
25 Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VA
26 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
27 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
28 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
29 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
30 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
31 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
32 Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA
33 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL

Best History Colleges by State

Explore the best history schools for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 678
Florida 282 886
North Carolina 279 1,060
Virginia 274 1,476
Tennessee 269 552
South Carolina 248 423
Kentucky 244 364
Louisiana 242 426
Mississippi 234 231
Arkansas 234 246
Alabama 233 500
West Virginia 207 491

View All Rankings >

History is one of 0 different types of History programs to choose from.

History Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General History 6,644
Military History 124
Other History 90
Public/Applied History 78
History and Philosophy of Science and Technology 19
American History (United States) 6

View All History Concentrations >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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