Top Masters Programs in History

What is the History Masters Program?

The master's degree in history provides advanced-level coursework in the study of human experience in the past that enhances research and critical thinking skills while also making relevant links to current events. Students in this degree program might concentrate on a specific country, area, time period, or facet of human culture that interests them, such as religion, science, or cultural movements. History graduate programs allow students to learn about diverse cultures.

There are 34 schools offering graduate degrees in History. Columbia University in the City of New York had 17 international graduate students in its 34 program, which is one of the highest counts in the country. Yale University had the most women graduates in this program.

Princeton University logo
Ranked as:  #1 in Best National University
Tuition:  $56,470 per year
Total Cost:  $112,940 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  New Jersey
Acceptance:  5.63%

The history Ph.D. program values a method of scholarship that is rooted in the specific while maintaining an awareness of the big picture. In order to foster a broad understanding of the past, the professors encourage students to adopt the broadest perspective on history feasible. Students gain the expertise needed to carry out discipline-defining research throughout their enrollment.

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History, Ph.D.

  • GRE Required:  Yes
  • Research Assistantships:  733
  • Teaching Assistantships:  655
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Yale University logo
Ranked as:  #3 in Best National University
Tuition:  $44,500 per year
Total Cost:  $89,000 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Connecticut
Acceptance:  6.53%

The Program in the History of Science and Medicine (HSHM) offers a master’s degree designed for students who plan to combine teaching or scholarship with a professional career in medicine or science. Students who enroll in the terminal M.A. in History of Science and Medicine are expected to complete six courses during two terms of study and submit an acceptable master’s paper. Course work normally includes the three core HSHM “Problems” seminars and one additional graduate seminar in history of medicine or science. The remaining courses are chosen in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies or a faculty adviser.

The History of Science and Medicine Program (HSHM) is a semi-autonomous graduate track within the Department of History. HSHM students are awarded degrees in History with a concentration in the History of Science and Medicine, and they are fully fledged members of the History Department. Most students in the HSHM program are pursuing a PhD, which may be combined with concurrent enrollment in an MD or JD program (at Yale or elsewhere). A one-year MA degree is also available.

The HSHM program allows students to explore topics spanning the full range of the history of science, medicine, and technology, and science and technology studies. Instruction is offered in small seminars, and students receive advice and guidance from faculty advisers throughout their entire period of enrollment. The program incorporates many opportunities for professional development in teaching, research, publication, and presentation, and Yale also offers additional ways for students to explore other skills and fields such as exhibit curation, digital humanities, and public policy.

The methodological training provided by the HSHM program is expansive and interdisciplinary. The faculty have backgrounds in a variety of fields, including history, the natural and the social sciences, and the performing arts, and they have deep commitments in anthropology, indigenous studies, geography, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, material and visual culture, and museum studies. Students work with all kinds of sources—texts, artifacts, interviews—and incorporate social, cultural, political, geographic, environmental, and economic analysis. Students are also encouraged to draw on other disciplines and they may take classes or work with faculty in other departments.

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M.A. in History of Science and Medicine

  • GRE Required:  Yes
  • Research Assistantships:  1565
  • Teaching Assistantships:  1598
  • Financial Aid: Register to view the details
Harvard University logo
Ranked as:  #3 in Best National University
Tuition:  $50,654 per year
Total Cost:  $101,308 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Massachusetts
Acceptance:  5.01%

The goal of the doctoral program is to train students to become both skilled scholars and conscientious teachers. Throughout the program students work with advisors and other faculty members as they engage in coursework, prepare for and take the general exam, work as teaching fellows, and research and write the dissertation. On average it takes seven years to receive the doctoral degree. Most graduates have pursued academic careers at universities and colleges in the United States and abroad, while others have gone on to successful careers in law and in government.

As a large research university, Harvard offers many resources and opportunities for its students in the form of lectures, conferences, research centers, fellowships, and grants. Students have access to the more than 80 libraries and 15 million volumes that comprise the Harvard University Library, the largest university library in the world.

Additionally, students may take courses offered by other departments in the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, or at other Harvard schools, such as Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Harvard Kennedy School.

In coordination with Harvard Law School, students may pursue both a PhD in history and a JD at the Law School.

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PhD in history

  • GRE Required:  Yes
  • Research Assistantships:  864
  • Teaching Assistantships:  1388
  • Financial Aid: Register to view the details
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1088 universities offer the Master's program in History.

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Stanford University logo
Ranked as:  #3 in Best National University
Tuition:  $55,011 per year
Total Cost:  $110,022 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  California
Acceptance:  5.19%

Stanford University's history M.A. students work closely with the department's teachers to complete nine graduate-level courses. There are 14 distinct subfields in which students can choose to specialise, including: Africa, Britain, Early Modern Europe, East Asia, Eastern Europe/Russia, History of Science, Medicine, and Technology, Latin America, Medieval Europe, Modern Europe, Ottoman Empire and Middle East, South Asia, Transnational, International, and Global History, and United States.

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M.A in History

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University of Chicago logo
Ranked as:  #6 in Best National University
Tuition:  $61,548 per year
Total Cost:  $123,096 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Illinois
Acceptance:  7.31%

At University of Illinois Chicago students pursuing Master of Arts in History (MA) are provided introductory classes in established disciplines (US history, European history), and promote interdisciplinary approaches to history.

The history of racial, religious, gendered, and class relations as well as the history of sexuality in early America and the United States, as well as the history of imperial, colonial, ethnic, and environmental relations in early modern Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are the main areas of scholarly focus.

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History, MA

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Johns Hopkins University logo
Ranked as:  #7 in Best National University
Tuition:  $59,425 per year
Total Cost:  $118,850 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Maryland
Acceptance:  11.06%

The goal of the PhD program in history of art at Johns Hopkins University is to provide candidates for the degree with a thorough knowledge of the history of art as well as a profound awareness of the theories and methods used in art historical inquiry. In seminars, the curriculum places a strong emphasis on teamwork among students and instructors.

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History of Art, PhD

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University of Pennsylvania logo
Ranked as:  #7 in Best National University
Tuition:  $41,760 per year
Total Cost:  $83,520 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Pennsylvania
Acceptance:  8.98%

At the University of Pennsylvania, there is a distinguished history of the Graduate Program in History. It is intended for self-funded students with certain goals in mind, such as community college or secondary school teaching, archival management, library or public sector work, personal gratification, etc.

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History, MA

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Northwestern University logo
Ranked as:  #10 in Best National University
Tuition:  $56,567 per year
Total Cost:  $113,134 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Illinois
Acceptance:  9.31%

The history Ph.D. program at Northwestern credits its stellar faculty of scholar-teachers, adaptable and well-articulated course of study, and track record of enlisting, preparing, and placing talented and diverse graduate students for success in the nation.

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Ph.D. in history

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Duke University logo
Ranked as:  #10 in Best National University
Tuition:  $59,140 per year
Total Cost:  $118,280 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  North Carolina
Acceptance:  7.74%

At Duke University, students pursuing a Master of Arts in History receive training in a wide range of topics, including early America, modern american history, african american history, military history, mediaeval and early modern european history, south asia, imperial and Soviet russia, traditional and modern china, modern japan, and history of medicine and science and technology.

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Master of Arts in History

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Brown University logo
Ranked as:  #13 in Best National University
Tuition:  $60,363 per year
Total Cost:  $120,726 * This tuition data is based on IPEDS. For the latest tuition amount, refer to the respective college websites.
State:  Rhode Island
Acceptance:  7.67%

The Ph.D. program offers courses to help students advance their critical reading, research and writing skills as they increase familiarity with different approaches to the past, build comparative understanding of major historical developments and gain competence in the literature and sources of their fields of specialization.

Students are encouraged to adopt a thematic approach to research backed by theoretically sophisticated comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Teaching is an indispensable part of graduate training, and each of our graduate students works as a teaching assistant for a minimum of four semesters. Brown University's summer school offers advanced students an opportunity to develop and teach their own courses.

The department tries to admit students with diverse backgrounds and academic interests who can work harmoniously together. The department's low graduate student-faculty ratio combines with the relatively small size of each cohort to create a vibrant academic environment for students and faculty.

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History, Ph.D.

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What kind of scholarships are available for Graduate Programs in History?

We have 2 scholarships awarding up to $9,500 for Masters program in for History, targeting diverse candidates and not restricted to state or school-based programs.

Scholarship nameAmountCredibility
Mellon Emerging Faculty Leaders Award$7,500Medium
DAR Centennial Scholarship$2,000Medium

Find scholarships and financial aid for History graduate programs

$500 $20000

Which are the accredited universities that offer phd/doctoral programs offered in History?

28 universities offer graduate PHD program in History

Best History graduate PHD programs

How much does it cost to get a Master's in History and how to find the most affordable Masters program?

Master's degree in History is offered by 1088 US universities. The tuition for the Master's degree can range from $26,477 per year at Western Connecticut State University to $61,548 at University of Chicago.

The tuition at public universities will be lower for in-state students when compared to private universities but you get more financial aid at private universities.

Most affordable Master's program in History

What is the GRE score required for admission to Master's degree in History?

Gre score requirements differ from school to school. Most colleges do not publish the cutoff scores. For example 1100 universities offer Master's programs in History.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 6.GRE scores not required for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

University of Maryland-College Park: 4.Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required.

Gre score requirements for Master's program in History

Are there universities offering online Master's in History?

Best Online Masters Programs in History - Updated 2023 Online Master's in History

Are there any one year masters programs in History?

4 Universities offer On-campus Masters Program within an One Year - 18 months. The tuition for Master's can range from $22,743 to $30,154.

On-campus Masters 1 year - 18 months in History

Are there colleges for the History Masters program that do not require GRE/GMAT?

Quite a few accredited universities have waived off the GRE score requirements for admissions to Masters programs. 1100 offer Graduate programs in History. Below are listed 5 universities that do not require GRE/GMAT for admission to Master's program. For viewing the all the schools that have waived off GRE/GMAT for the admission, use Match Me Masters.

No GRE schools for Masters in History

Is it worth getting a master's degree in History?

Before you invest 2-3 years of your life and anywhere between $40,000 - $110,00 of your hard earned money, students do ask as to what is the return on investment on the Master's degree. Here are some of the statistics from bls.gov.

Becoming a Historian- Is it beneficial?

Historians are sometimes referred to as "social detectives." They look for "clues" in the form of visual documentation and artifacts, diaries, official documents and records, economic figures, and newspapers to learn more about the men and women, groups, and events of the past. Historians use these clues to figure out which events were the most important, why events occurred as they did, and what lessons we may learn from history. Historians spend their lives researching significant historical events including military conflicts, political milestones, and social movements.

In the United States, the average annual compensation for a historian is roughly $63,680. Wages typically range from $29,760 to $114,810 per year.

How long will it take to become an historian?

To work as a historian, you must have a bachelor's degree in history, which takes four years to accomplish. A master's degree in history might take up to two years to accomplish on average. A PhD in history usually takes 5-7 years to complete.

What are the admission requirements for the Masters in History program?

A bachelor's degree in history or a related subject is required, or a significant quantity of undergraduate history courses. Universities may have extra requirements that must be met. Some university programs may require GRE scores, but not all.

For more details, see Admission, GPA, GRE score percentile for History.

Are there universities offering History Masters Program with No GRE requirements?

Yes, there are universities that offer Masters Program in History without GRE. Check the universities offering Masters programs in History which do not require GRE.

Are there Scholarships and Financial aid available for Graduate students in History?

Scholarships are available for graduate students in History from Universities as well as external agencies. See Scholarships and financial aid for Masters and graduate program in History for more information.

Are there accredited universities that offer Online Masters degrees in History?

Accreditation signifies that a school has met the requirements of an organization that is qualified to assess and verify academic merit. An authorized university offers an online master's degree in history. Numerous universities in the United States offer online master's degrees in History to people who are unable to acquire a degree on campus.

CollegeHippo has listed out the accredited universities that offer online masters programs in History.

Describe the Career with a Masters degree in History?

A master's degree in history can lead to employment in a variety of fields, including teaching, law, management, administration, and even the public sector. Graduates with a master's degree in history can work as lawyers, curators, business executives, archivists, geographers, historians, or instructors of history.

Teachers can boost their earning potential by earning a master's degree in their subject area, therefore social studies, US government, and civics teachers can all profit from a master's in history.

History is projected to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, as fast as average for all occupations. Median pay for History in 2018 was $55,110. The number of jobs were 2950.

Get more details on Jobs, Salaries and Career after Masters in History.

Career Outlook

Employment of historians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 300 openings for historians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

The median annual wage for historians was $63,100 in May 2020. Number of Jobs in 2020 was 3,100.

Employers prefer the candidate with a Master's degree.

Career Opportunities with master's degree in History


Job Title 2020 median Pay Number of Jobs Job Outlook What they do
Natural Sciences Managers $137,940 79,000 Employment of natural sciences managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 6,000 openings for natural sciences managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists.
History Teachers, Postsecondary $80,560 1,276,900 Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About 139,600 openings for postsecondary teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.
Historians $63,100 3,100 Employment of historians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 300 openings for historians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying historical documents and sources.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $62,870 998,800 Employment of high school teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 77,400 openings for high school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. High school teachers teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.
Curators $52,140 35,000 Overall employment of archivists, curators, and museum workers is projected to grow 19 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,900 openings for archivists, curators, and museum workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Archivists and curators oversee institutions’ collections, such as of historical items or of artwork. Museum technicians and conservators prepare and restore items in those collections.

Best paying jobs for History - Updated 2023

How can I compare the History Graduate Programs?

Compare the GRE score requirements, admission details, credit requirements and tuition for the Master's Program, from 1088 universities offering Graduate School Programs in History. Compare Graduate School Programs in History

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