What you'll do in college
History majors study the past through primary sources—letters, documents, artifacts, oral histories—and learn to construct evidence-based arguments. Coursework spans different regions and time periods, with electives in everything from ancient Rome to modern China. Archaeology adds fieldwork at dig sites and lab work analyzing artifacts.
Both majors are writing-intensive: expect long research papers and a senior thesis. Languages are often required, especially for certain regions or periods.
What you'll do after college
History grads go into law, journalism, education, government, museums, libraries, business, consulting, and graduate school. Archaeology grads work at museums, cultural resource management firms, government agencies, and academic institutions.
The major teaches research, writing, and analytical thinking that transfer to many careers. Direct historical work tends to be modestly paid, but the broader career options—especially law and consulting—pay well.
Famous graduates
- Theodore Roosevelt — 26th U.S. President; B.A. in History from Harvard University
- Conan O'Brien — Comedian and late-night host; B.A. in History and Literature from Harvard University
- Steve Carell — Actor and comedian; B.A. in History from Denison University
Selectivity vs. earnings
By acceptance rate
By SAT median
Earnings vs. selectivity rank
Majors in this category
| Major | Colleges | Degrees ▼ | Male/Female | Intl | Earnings | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| History & Archaeology | 1,118 | 20,336 | 57% / 43% | 2% | $51,742 | 94% |
| 1,106 | 18,975 | 58% / 42% | 1% | $51,216 | 93% | |
| 100 | 306 | 36% / 64% | 3% | $59,603 | 100% | |
| 34 | 202 | 35% / 65% | 2% | $55,282 | 92% | |
| 32 | 87 | 41% / 59% | 6% | $57,020 | 92% | |
| 5 | 78 | 92% / 8% | 0% | $56,183 | 90% | |
| 2 | 72 | 39% / 61% | 1% | $49,918 | 93% | |
| 2 | 64 | 59% / 41% | 0% | $47,918 | 98% | |
| 3 | 57 | 21% / 79% | 0% | $60,123 | 95% | |
| 1 | 56 | 30% / 70% | 2% | $88,287 | 94% | |
| 16 | 48 | 31% / 69% | 4% | $61,363 | 100% | |
| 15 | 47 | 51% / 49% | 0% | $50,738 | ||
| 15 | 41 | 41% / 59% | 0% | $46,108 | 95% | |
| 7 | 32 | 31% / 69% | 3% | $59,516 | 90% | |
| 1 | 32 | 53% / 47% | 9% | $86,861 | 85% | |
| 1 | 30 | 27% / 73% | 0% | $44,143 | 94% | |
| 22 | 20 | 30% / 70% | 5% | $60,701 | ||
| 1 | 18 | 28% / 72% | 6% | $60,631 | ||
| 5 | 17 | 6% / 94% | 0% | $52,108 | ||
| 4 | 17 | 47% / 53% | 6% | $56,618 | ||
| 1 | 17 | 88% / 12% | 0% | $93,153 | 94% | |
| 1 | 17 | 59% / 41% | 12% | $89,377 | ||
| 9 | 16 | 19% / 81% | 6% | $58,207 | ||
| 1 | 16 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $75,028 | ||
| 2 | 12 | 50% / 50% | 8% | $47,253 | ||
| 4 | 10 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $51,269 | ||
| 1 | 9 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $51,812 | ||
| 2 | 8 | 25% / 75% | 0% | $56,408 | ||
| 4 | 5 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $60,595 | ||
| 1 | 5 | 60% / 40% | 0% | $70,023 | ||
| 4 | 4 | 25% / 75% | 0% | $60,423 | ||
| 3 | 4 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $69,924 | ||
| 1 | 4 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $46,779 | 89% | |
| 1 | 3 | 67% / 33% | 0% | $77,931 | ||
| 1 | 2 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $46,970 | 86% | |
| 1 | 2 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $84,140 | ||
| 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $58,379 | ||
| 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $38,366 | ||
| 1 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $57,314 |