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2025 Best History Doctor's Degree Schools

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for history students pursuing a doctor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 757 doctor's degrees in history to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

• Best Doctor’s Degree Schools List

Choosing a Great History School for Your Doctor's Degree

A Great Overall School

The overall quality of a doctor's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Doctor's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Early-Career Earnings

One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of doctorate graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their doctor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

• Major Focus - How much a school focuses on history students vs. other majors.
• Major Demand - The number of history students who choose to seek a doctor's degree at the school.
• Educational Resources - The amount of money and other resources allocated to students while they are pursuing their degree. These resources include such things as number of students per instructor and education expenditures per student.
• Student Debt - How much debt history students go into to obtain their doctor's degree and how well they are able to pay back that debt.
• Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or accredited by a recognized history related body.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for history students working on their doctor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings , including this Best History Doctor's Degree Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.

Best Schools for Doctorate Students to Study History in the United States

The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a doctor's degree in history.

10 Top Schools for a Doctorate in History

Harvard University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a doctor's degree in history. Harvard is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge. More information about a doctorate in history from Harvard University

It's hard to beat University of Pennsylvania if you want to pursue a doctor's degree in history. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Those history students who get their doctor's degree from University of Pennsylvania receive $9,746 more than the standard history student.

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a doctor's degree in history. Northwestern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Evanston. More information about a doctorate in history from Northwestern University

It's hard to beat Columbia University in the City of New York if you want to pursue a doctor's degree in history. Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. More information about a doctorate in history from Columbia University in the City of New York

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. More information about a doctorate in history from University of California - Los Angeles

U-M is a very large public university located in the city of Ann Arbor.

After graduating, history doctorate recipients usually make around $49,959 in the first five years of their career.

Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a very large student population. More information about a doctorate in history from University of Wisconsin - Madison

Located in the city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. More information about a doctorate in history from Yale University

IU Bloomington is a very large public university located in the small city of Bloomington. More information about a doctorate in history from Indiana University - Bloomington

UMCP is a very large public university located in the large suburb of College Park. More information about a doctorate in history from University of Maryland - College Park

History by Region

View the Best History Doctor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Other Rankings

Best associate degrees in history, best master's degrees in history, best value in history, best for non-traditional students in history, best online in history, most popular online in history, best bachelor's degrees in history, best overall in history, highest paid grads in history, best for veterans in history, most popular in history, most focused in history.

View All Rankings >

History Related Rankings by Major

One of 0 majors within the History area of study, History has other similar majors worth exploring.

History Concentrations

Notes and references.

• The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ( IPEDS ) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s ( College Scorecard ). More about our data sources and methodologies .

Popular Reports

Compare your school options.

Doctor of History Programs in America

1-25 of 170 results

MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

• Cambridge, MA ·
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology ·
• Graduate School

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Graduate School, CAMBRIDGE, MA.

Stanford University Department of Humanities and Sciences

• Stanford, CA ·
• Stanford University ·

Stanford University, Graduate School, STANFORD, CA.

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

• New Haven, CT ·
• Yale University ·
• · Rating 4.5 out of 5   2 reviews

Yale University, Graduate School, NEW HAVEN, CT. 2 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says The resources at Yale are outstanding. While some of the required courses are slow-moving and less informative, I do have more academic freedom in my second year to the program to take classes that I... Read 2 reviews.

Florida International University

• Graduate School ·
• · Rating 4.65 out of 5   331

College of Arts and Sciences - American University

• American University ·
• WASHINGTON, DC
• · Rating 3.67 out of 5   3

University of Pittsburgh

• PITTSBURGH, PA
• · Rating 4.46 out of 5   81

Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

• Harvard University ·
• · Rating 4.56 out of 5   9 reviews

Harvard University, Graduate School, CAMBRIDGE, MA. 9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars. Featured Review: Other says I am Harvard Extension School student pursuing a master degree, ALM, in sustainability. I have achieved a 3.89 in this program so far and have qualified, applied, and accepted as a 'Special Student'... Read 9 reviews.

Princeton University

• Princeton, NJ ·
• · Rating 4.33 out of 5   3 reviews

Graduate School, PRINCETON, NJ. 3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says The best part of the Princeton University mechanical engineering graduate degree is the excellent faculty that teach the courses. They are incredibly knowledgeable and also very willing to help... Read 3 reviews.

Sanford School of Public Policy

• Durham, NC ·
• Duke University ·
• · Rating 4.75 out of 5   4 reviews

Duke University, Graduate School, DURHAM, NC. 4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars. Featured Review: Current Master's student says My academic experience at Duke has been the most rewarding in my life. What makes Duke so great is the opportunity through the Sanford Policy School to exchange and engage ideas with professors and... Read 4 reviews.

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Brown University Graduate School

• Providence, RI ·
• Brown University ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   4 reviews

Brown University, Graduate School, PROVIDENCE, RI. 4 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says This is my first semester in the biotechnology program. The program manager is helpful and commutative. I have found a great lab match for my research interests. My classes are interesting. I have... Read 4 reviews.

Brown School of Professional Studies

Brown University, Graduate School, PROVIDENCE, RI.

School of Arts & Sciences - University of Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia, PA ·
• University of Pennsylvania ·

University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School, PHILADELPHIA, PA.

Rice University School of Humanities

• Houston, TX ·
• Rice University ·

Blue checkmark. Rice University, Graduate School, HOUSTON, TX.

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

• Evanston, IL ·
• Northwestern University ·

Northwestern University, Graduate School, EVANSTON, IL.

College of Arts and Science

• Nashville, TN ·
• Vanderbilt University ·

Vanderbilt University, Graduate School, NASHVILLE, TN.

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Washington University in St. Louis - Arts & Sciences

• St. Louis, MO ·
• Washington University in St. Louis ·

Washington University in St. Louis, Graduate School, ST. LOUIS, MO.

College of Arts and Letters - University of Notre Dame

• Notre Dame, IN ·
• University of Notre Dame ·

University of Notre Dame, Graduate School, NOTRE DAME, IN. 2 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars. Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The faculty at Notre Dame is excellent. The student to professor ratio makes for a wonderful one to one interaction between students and teachers. At Notre Dame, my interests, dreams, goals, research... Read 2 reviews.

Social Sciences Division - University of Chicago

• Chicago, IL ·
• University of Chicago ·
• · Rating 3.75 out of 5   4 reviews

University of Chicago, Graduate School, CHICAGO, IL. 4 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says The University of Chicago offers many clubs you can attend. Do to COIVD most of the clubs meet online and some in person one day out of the week. There's boxing, archery, fencing, and one of my... Read 4 reviews.

Humanities Division - University of Chicago

• · Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

University of Chicago, Graduate School, CHICAGO, IL. 1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says My application process for the University of Chicago, including my interview and the prospective students welcome day was incredibly warm, informative and inspiring. I felt the community at the... Read 1 reviews.

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

• Los Angeles, CA ·
• University of Southern California ·

University of Southern California, Graduate School, LOS ANGELES, CA.

Cornell University College of Arts & Sciences

• Ithaca, NY ·
• Cornell University ·

Cornell University, Graduate School, ITHACA, NY.

Rackham School of Graduate Studies

• Ann Arbor, MI ·
• University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ·
• · Rating 4.86 out of 5   7 reviews

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Graduate School, ANN ARBOR, MI. 7 Niche users give it an average review of 4.9 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says The Landscape Architecture program at UMich School for Environment and Sustainability is rooted in advancing sustainable design and ecological function, rather than pure aesthetics. We have some... Read 7 reviews.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - Georgetown University

• Nw Washington, DC ·
• Georgetown University ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Georgetown University, Graduate School, NW WASHINGTON, DC. 2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says The program is highly practical. The professors explain concepts in class and give us home works to submit on each topic discussed on a weekly basis. This enables us to grasp the concepts more. We... Read 2 reviews.

School of Arts and Sciences - Tufts University

• Medford, MA ·
• Tufts University ·
• · Rating 4 out of 5   4 reviews

Tufts University, Graduate School, MEDFORD, MA. 4 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says My experience was mostly great! I felt supported by faculty and staff and became involved in student activities. It was just unfortunate that my on-campus experience was cut short due to the pandemic... Read 4 reviews.

UCLA College of Letters and Science

• University of California - Los Angeles ·
• · Rating 3 out of 5   1 review

University of California - Los Angeles, Graduate School, LOS ANGELES, CA. 1 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars. Read 1 reviews.

Krieger School of Arts & Sciences

• Baltimore, MD ·
• Johns Hopkins University ·
• · Rating 4.52 out of 5   21 reviews

Johns Hopkins University, Graduate School, BALTIMORE, MD. 21 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says Starting this fall, my graduate journey is set to begin on an exciting note. I’ve already connected with two professors who have proven to be incredibly supportive and kind. I can't wait to dive into... Read 21 reviews.

Dietrich College of Humanities & Social Sciences

• Pittsburgh, PA ·
• Carnegie Mellon University ·

Blue checkmark. Carnegie Mellon University, Graduate School, PITTSBURGH, PA.

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - University of Virginia

• Charlottesville, VA ·
• University of Virginia ·
• · Rating 4 out of 5   1 review

University of Virginia, Graduate School, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. 1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars. Featured Review: Alum says Very good in some areas, excellent in other areas, many academic choices available in all areas of study Read 1 reviews.

Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

• University of Pittsburgh ·

Lehigh University

• BETHLEHEM, PA
• · Rating 4.45 out of 5   22

College of Arts, Sciences and Education - Florida International University

• Florida International University ·

Showing results 1 through 25 of 170

Graduate Students

Learn more about our  students' research interests and dissertation projects.

CURRENT STUDENTS

Ph.D. Program

Stanford Ph.D. Program in History aims to train world-class scholars.

Every year we admit 10-12 promising students  from a large pool of highly selective applicants. Our small cohort size allows more individual work with faculty than most graduate programs in the United States and also enables funding in one form or another available to members of each cohort.

Fields of Study

Our graduate students may specialize in 14 distinct subfields: Africa, Britain, Early Modern Europe, East Asia, Jewish History, Latin America, Medieval Europe, Modern Europe,  Ottoman Empire and Middle East, Russia/Eastern Europe, Science, Technology, Environment, and Medicine, South Asia, Transnational, International, and Global History, and United States. Explore each field and their affiliates . 

The department expects most graduate students to spend no less than four and no more than six years completing the work for the Ph.D. degree. Individual students' time to degree will vary with the strength of their undergraduate preparation as well as with the particular language and research requirements of their respective Major fields.

Expectations and Degree Requirements

We expect that most graduate students will spend no less than four and no more than six years toward completing their Ph.D. Individual students' time-to-degree vary with the strength of their undergraduate preparation as well as with the particular language and research requirements of their respective subfield.

All History Ph.D. students are expected to satisfy the following degree requirements:

• Teaching: Students who enter on the Department Fellowship are required to complete 4 quarters of teaching experience by the end of their third year. Teaching experience includes teaching assistantships and teaching a Sources and Methods course on their own.
• Candidacy : Students apply for candidacy to the PhD program by the end of their second year in the program.
• Orals:  The University Orals Examination is typically taken at the beginning of the 3rd year in the program.
• Languages: Language requirements vary depending on the field of study.
• Residency Requirement : The University requi res  135 units of full-tuition residency  for PhD students. After that, students should have completed all course work and must request Terminal Graduate Registration (TGR) status. 

Browse the Ph.D. Handbook to learn more .

The History Department offers 5 years of financial support to PhD students.  No funding is offered for the co-terminal and terminal M.A. programs. A sample Ph.D. funding package is as follows:  

• 1st year: 3 quarters fellowship stipend and 1 summer stipend 
• 2nd year: 2 quarters TAships, 1 quarter fellowship stipend, and 1 summer stipend 
• 3rd year: 2 quarters TAships, 1 quarter fellowship stipend, and 1 summer stipend 
• 4th year: 3 quarters fellowship stipends and 1 summer stipend 
• 5th year: 3 quarters fellowship stipends and 1 summer stipend

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Join dozens of  Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students  who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as  Knight-Hennessy Scholars  (KHS). KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your studies at Stanford. candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment. If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 9, 2024. Learn more about  KHS admission .

How to Apply

Admission to the History Graduate Programs are for Autumn quarter only.  Interested applicants can online at  https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/apply/apply-now and submit the following documents: 

• Statement of Purpose (included in Application)
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
•  Transcripts are required from all prior college level schools attended for at least one year.  A scanned copy of the official transcript is submitted as part of the online application.  Please do not mail transcripts to the department.   We will ask only the admitted students to submit actual copies of official transcripts.
• 1 Writing Sample on a historic topic (10-25 pages; sent via  Stanford's online application system  only)
• The GRE exam is not required for the autumn 2025 admission cycle
• TOEFL for all international applicants (whose primary language is not English) sent via ETS. Our University code is 4704.
• TOEFL Exemptions and Waiver information
• Application Fee Waiver
• The department is not able to provide fee waivers. Please see the link above for the available fee waivers and how to submit a request. Requests are due 2 weeks before the application deadline.

The Department of History welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. Review of applications is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays in order to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field.

The Department of History also recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

Application deadline for Autumn 2025-26 is Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 11:59pm EST . This is a hard -not a postmark- deadline. 

All application material is available online. No information is sent via snail mail. Interested applicants are invited to view a Guide to Graduate Admissions at  https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/ . 

Questions? 

Please contact  Arthur Palmon  (Assistant Director of Student Services).

Department Bookshelf

Browse the most recent publications from our faculty members.

Secret Cures of Slaves (Japanese Translation)

Visualizing Russia in Early Modern Europe

How the New World Became Old: The Deep Time Revolution in America

Against Constitutional Originalism: A Historical Critique

Italian Fascism in Rhodes and the Dodecanese Islands, 1922–44

Department of History

Ph.d. programs.

The Department of History’s doctoral degree program seeks to train talented historians for careers in scholarship, teaching, and beyond the academy. The department typically accepts 22 Ph.D. students per year. Additional students are enrolled through various combined programs and through HSHM.  All admitted Ph.D. students receive a  full  financial aid package  from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 

History of Science and Medicine

The  Program in the History of Science and Medicine  (HSHM)  is a semi-autonomous graduate track within the Department of History. HSHM students receive degrees in History, with a concentration in the History of Science and Medicine.  There is a separate admissions process for students interested in the History of Science and Medicine. For more information, please see the  HSHM website . 

Combined Doctoral Programs

Joint ph.d. programs.