Top Schools with Graduate History Programs
Learn what qualities top-ranked graduate history programs share. Find out what some of the best schools are in the U.S. with graduate history programs, and discover what these programs offer to you.
What Should I Look for in a Top History Graduate Program?
Many of the top graduate history programs offer a terminal Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). These 5-7 year degree plans prepare graduates for teaching or research careers in academia, so look for schools whose graduates have received tenure-track teaching positions in quality programs. You may also want to consider schools with faculty mentoring resources, excellent library facilities and relationships with affiliated departments supporting your area of interest. Some programs may even offer opportunities for study abroad.
<h2 id="section---WhatAreThreeTopGraduateSchoolsForHistory">What Are Three Top Graduate Schools for History?</h2><h3 id="section---BrownUniversityInProvidenceRI">Brown University in Providence, RI</h3><p>This school tied for 16th among graduate history programs in 2017, according to <i>U.S. News and World Report</i>. As a graduate student, you'll be able to take courses from allied departments of east Asian studies, Africana studies or the history of art and architecture. Brown also has study-abroad arrangements in various countries, with universities that include Oxford and Cambridge. You can also utilize the John Carter Brown Library's collection of rare books, manuscripts and atlases from the earliest European explorers and settlers.
</p><p>You'll develop your teaching and research skills through the student workshops, teaching handbooks and research consultation programs available at the Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning. Many Ph.D. program graduates have found positions in colleges and universities as assistant professors, fellows and lecturers. In addition to a joint-Ph.D. program in ancient history, graduate degree programs include the following:
</p><ul><li>Master of Arts in History
</li><li>Doctor of Philosophy in History
</li></ul><h3 id="section---JohnsHopkinsUniversityInBaltimoreMD">Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD</h3><p>Johns Hopkins University (JHU), a private school, was tied for 11th place on <i>U.S. News & World Report's</i> 2017 list of top ranked graduate history programs. JHU offers the oldest history Ph.D. program in the U.S.
</p><p>You can study thematic, temporal or geographic areas through the JHU history program. Besides coursework, you'll also enjoy a weekly departmental seminar to discuss topics such as teaching assistantships and job hunting skills with other students and faculty. It's also worth considering the George Peabody Library's collection of 18th and 19th century British and American historical works.
</p><ul><li>BA/MA in History
</li><li>Doctor of Philosophy in History
</li></ul><h3 id="section---UniversityOfMichiganInAnnArbor">University of Michigan in Ann Arbor</h3><p>The public University of Michigan (UM) history department placed sixth in <i>U.S. News & World Report's</i> 2017 graduate history program rankings. You'll improve your teaching skills at the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, which offers teaching workshops and consultation services. You can also take advantage of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. Other library resources include the Bentley Historical Library's repository of materials documenting Michigan's earliest history
</p><ul><li>Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology and History
</li><li>Doctor of Philosophy, Certificate in Greek and Roman History
</li><li>Doctor of Philosophy in History and Women's Studies
</li></ul><h2 id="section---TopSchoolsWithGraduateHistoryPrograms"> Top Schools with Graduate History Programs</h2><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th>College/University </th><th>Institution Type</th><th>Location</th><th>Estimated Graduate In-State Tuition*</th></tr>
<tr><td>University of California - Berkeley </td><td>4-year, Public </td><td>Berkeley, CA</td><td>$14,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Harvard University </td><td> 4-year, Private </td><td>Cambridge, MA</td><td>$47,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Yale University </td><td> 4-year, Private </td><td>New Haven, CT</td><td>$42,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Princeton University</td><td>4-year, Private </td><td>Princeton, NJ</td><td>$51,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Stanford University </td><td> 4-year, Private </td><td> Stanford, CA</td><td>$51,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of Chicago </td><td> 4-year, Private </td><td> Chicago, IL</td><td>$59,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Columbia University</td><td> 4-year, Private </td><td> New York, NY</td><td>$48,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of California - Los Angeles </td><td> 4-year, Public </td><td> Los Angeles, CA</td><td>$13,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of Pennsylvania </td><td> 4-year, Private </td><td> Philadelphia, PA</td><td>$39,000</td></tr>
<tr><td> Cornell University </td><td> 4-year, Private </td><td> Ithaca, NY</td><td>$30,000</td></tr>
</table><p><i>*Source: NCES, U.S. Department of Education</i></p>