Best Schools for History Majors in 2025

For high school students with a deep interest in the past, choosing the right college to pursue a history degree can shape not just their academic experience—but their future career path. A history major isn't just about learning dates or memorizing historical events. It's about developing the ability to interpret evidence, construct compelling arguments, and understand how historical forces continue to shape the modern world.

Majoring in history helps students cultivate critical skills such as:

• Analytical thinking – interpreting complex texts and primary sources
• Effective communication – writing persuasive essays and presenting ideas clearly
• Research proficiency – conducting independent inquiry and citing scholarly work
• Cultural literacy – understanding global histories and diverse perspectives

These transferable skills are highly valued in numerous fields, including law, journalism, education, government, public policy, museum studies, and international relations. In fact, history majors often stand out in competitive graduate programs and leadership roles for their intellectual rigor and well-rounded academic training.

But with hundreds of universities offering strong humanities departments, how do students determine which schools are the best fit?

The ideal history program goes beyond great course offerings. It features:

• Access to distinguished faculty and active researchers
• Opportunities for undergraduates to engage in original research or archival work
• A wide range of historical specializations—from ancient to modern, from local to global
• Interdisciplinary connections to fields like literature, political science, and philosophy
• Supportive mentorship and writing-intensive seminars that develop strong academic voices

Whether you envision yourself writing a thesis on medieval Europe, analyzing Cold War diplomacy, or studying the social movements of the 20th century, the right program will challenge you, inspire you, and prepare you for a dynamic future.

In this guide, we highlight some of the best colleges for history majors in 2025, emphasizing their academic reputation, faculty expertise, research support, and distinctive opportunities that set them apart. This list includes both U.S. and international institutions to give students a well-rounded perspective as they begin their college search.

Let’s dive into the universities that are leading the way in history education—and why they might be the perfect place for you to build your future by studying the past.

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Why Study History?

Before diving into the list of top colleges for history majors, it’s important to understand why history remains one of the most powerful and versatile fields of study. Far from being just a catalog of names, dates, and battles, history is an exploration of how ideas, cultures, systems, and individuals have interacted to shape the world we live in today.

History as a Tool for Understanding the Present

Studying history allows students to develop a nuanced understanding of the present by uncovering the origins of today’s political institutions, economic systems, social movements, and cultural values. It fosters critical awareness of how narratives are constructed, how power is distributed, and how historical memory influences current events.

By engaging with a wide range of primary sources, historical interpretations, and global perspectives, students learn to question assumptions, recognize bias, and construct arguments grounded in evidence—skills essential for both academic and real-world success.

A Versatile Degree with Broad Career Applications

Contrary to the misconception that history majors are limited to teaching, graduates with a degree in history pursue dynamic careers across a wide spectrum of industries. The training students receive—particularly in analytical reasoning, persuasive writing, and in-depth research—prepares them to thrive in a fast-changing, information-driven world.

Here are just a few career paths open to history majors:

• Academia and Education: Teaching at the secondary or postsecondary level, writing textbooks, or engaging in scholarly research.
• Law and Public Policy: Leveraging critical thinking and historical context in roles related to legal practice, policy analysis, or public administration.
• Journalism and Media: Investigating and contextualizing current events with historical depth as a journalist, editor, or researcher.
• Museums, Archives, and Historical Preservation: Working as curators, archivists, or preservationists to protect and interpret cultural heritage.
• International Relations and Diplomacy: Applying historical understanding to global politics, conflict resolution, and foreign service work.

In addition, history majors often excel in graduate programs in business, law, public policy, and the humanities due to their strong writing and research foundations.

What to Expect from a Strong History Program

An excellent undergraduate history program does more than offer a broad selection of courses. It empowers students to:

• Engage in original research, including access to archives, oral histories, or digital history projects.
• Participate in writing-intensive seminars that refine their ability to construct clear, persuasive arguments.
• Work closely with faculty mentors who guide their academic development and connect them with opportunities in and beyond the classroom.
• Choose specialized concentrations—from gender history to environmental history to transnational studies—based on their interests and career goals.

At top colleges, students often have the opportunity to complete a senior thesis, present at undergraduate conferences, or participate in research projects that contribute to the wider field of historical scholarship.
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Top Colleges for History Majors in 2025

If you’re a high school student passionate about uncovering the stories of the past and building skills in research, writing, and analysis, choosing the right college is essential. Below, we spotlight five top institutions in 2025 with exceptional undergraduate history programs—each known for its academic rigor, faculty excellence, and student support.

1. Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)

Harvard's Department of History consistently ranks at the top of national and international rankings—and for good reason. The program offers an impressive array of historical subfields, from the history of science to global political history, allowing students to explore diverse regions and eras in depth. Undergraduates benefit from world-class faculty, small discussion-based seminars, and the opportunity to pursue independent research.

Students aiming for academic distinction can opt to write a senior thesis with the support of expert faculty mentors, often resulting in original contributions to historical scholarship. The department also encourages interdisciplinary learning, including joint concentrations with literature, government, or the sciences.

Notable Feature: Harvard’s History & Literature concentration offers an interdisciplinary track that bridges historical inquiry with literary interpretation, ideal for students interested in narrative, culture, and critical theory.

Resources Highlight: The Harvard Library system—the largest academic library in the world—provides students with access to rare manuscripts, global archives, and digital databases that are unparalleled in depth and scope.

2. Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)

Princeton’s undergraduate history program is grounded in rigorous scholarship and research. From their sophomore year, students begin developing research skills through junior papers, culminating in a senior thesis. Courses cover a wide chronological and geographic range—from classical antiquity to contemporary history—making it one of the most comprehensive programs available.

What sets Princeton apart is the mentorship students receive from top scholars in the field and the university’s commitment to supporting student-led inquiry. Through initiatives like the Summer Research Colloquium, students can deepen their studies while receiving funding and feedback from faculty.

Notable Feature: The junior independent work model gives students early exposure to advanced research and writing, a rare feature at the undergraduate level.

Resources Highlight: With a low student-to-faculty ratio, history majors benefit from close advising relationships and access to renowned historians across disciplines.

3. University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)

UC Berkeley is home to one of the largest and most interdisciplinary history departments in the nation. Known for its strengths in social, political, and cultural history, the program encourages students to explore intersections with economics, gender studies, philosophy, and ethnic studies. Faculty at Berkeley are not only leading scholars but also public intellectuals and policy advisers.

Students are encouraged to bring history into the public sphere, whether through archival research, oral history projects, or internships with community organizations. The program supports both academic and applied learning through its strong ties to Bay Area institutions and museums.

Notable Feature: Berkeley’s Public History Initiative allows undergraduates to engage with community-based storytelling, documentary work, and digital humanities projects.

Resources Highlight: Students can take part in semester-long or year-long research apprenticeships and present their work through the Undergraduate History Conference.

4. Yale University (New Haven, CT)

Yale’s undergraduate history major offers a unique balance between breadth and specialization. Students can explore thematic concentrations in areas such as law and society, empires and colonialism, or the intellectual history of political thought. Yale emphasizes primary source analysis and argumentative writing across its curriculum, which begins with introductory seminars and culminates in senior essays or capstone projects.

Yale also provides access to one of the nation’s richest collections of historical materials. The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library and Sterling Memorial Library house extensive holdings for student researchers.

Notable Feature: The Directed Studies program offers a first-year intensive experience in foundational texts from Western intellectual history, preparing students for upper-level analytical work.

Resources Highlight: Yale’s small seminar sizes and faculty advising system ensure students receive individualized attention as they navigate coursework and independent research.

5. University of Oxford (Oxford, UK)

For students considering an international education, the University of Oxford offers an unmatched history experience. Its tutorial-based system promotes deep learning through weekly one-on-one or small group meetings with leading scholars. The Faculty of History at Oxford is the largest in the UK and allows undergraduates to specialize in fields such as British history, medieval studies, transatlantic history, and modern global developments.

In addition to academic rigor, Oxford students engage directly with archival material from some of the oldest collections in Europe, housed in the world-renowned Bodleian Library.

Notable Feature: Oxford emphasizes historiography and critical methodology throughout the curriculum, preparing students for research, policy, and academic careers alike.

Resources Highlight: With its centuries-old tradition, Oxford is a gateway to postgraduate opportunities and global research fellowships.
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Honorable Mentions: Other Top History Programs to Consider

While Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Berkeley, and Oxford are among the most well-known schools for history majors, several other institutions also offer exceptional programs with distinctive strengths. If you're looking for academic rigor, unique research opportunities, and strong faculty mentorship, these colleges deserve your attention.

Stanford University (Stanford, CA)

Stanford’s history department stands out for its integration of traditional historical scholarship with digital humanities. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the university provides students with access to cutting-edge tools for mapping historical change, analyzing large data sets, and collaborating on digital archives.

Students can explore a wide range of specializations—from environmental and transnational history to the history of technology and science. Stanford’s emphasis on interdisciplinary work and innovation makes it an ideal choice for students looking to merge historical inquiry with computational thinking or public policy.

Key Strengths: Digital humanities, environmental history, and collaborative research across disciplines
Unique Resource: The Center for Spatial and Textual Analysis (CESTA) supports digital history projects and undergraduate research fellowships.

University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)

The University of Chicago is a powerhouse for students interested in the theoretical and philosophical foundations of historical thought. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on historiography, comparative analysis, and intellectual history. Students are trained to think critically about how history is written and how it shapes our understanding of society.

Its integration with political science, anthropology, and sociology offers rich opportunities for students to explore the intersections between history and social theory. UChicago’s Core Curriculum also ensures students develop a well-rounded liberal arts education.

Key Strengths: Critical theory, modern European and American history, and interdisciplinary analysis
Unique Feature: The “BA Thesis” is a required research project that students complete with close faculty supervision.

Columbia University (New York, NY)

Located in one of the most historically rich cities in the world, Columbia offers a globally oriented history program that draws on the university’s proximity to museums, archives, and cultural institutions. Students can explore urban history, global empires, postcolonial studies, and the intersections of race, class, and gender in shaping the past.

Columbia’s strong archival research culture and its affiliation with institutions like the New-York Historical Society and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture provide unparalleled opportunities for hands-on historical work.

Key Strengths: Urban history, global studies, and archival research
Notable Program: Columbia’s Global Core requirement encourages students to explore non-Western histories and comparative civilizations.

Georgetown University (Washington, DC)

For students interested in diplomatic history, political science, and international affairs, Georgetown offers an ideal setting. Situated in the nation’s capital, the university provides direct access to think tanks, historical archives, policy institutes, and government agencies.

Georgetown’s history program has particular strengths in American political history, global affairs, and the history of religion. Many students double major in international relations or participate in global fellowships that combine historical research with real-world policy engagement.

Key Strengths: U.S. foreign policy, religious history, and transnational studies
Notable Program: Students can intern at the Library of Congress, the National Archives, or the Smithsonian Institution.

Williams College (Williamstown, MA)

Consistently ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in the United States, Williams offers a highly personalized and writing-intensive history program. Small class sizes and close faculty mentorship allow students to dive deeply into historical research and develop strong analytical skills.

The curriculum encourages students to explore non-Western histories and comparative perspectives while fostering critical thinking and independent inquiry. The college’s emphasis on writing and discussion prepares students well for graduate study or careers in law, education, or public service.

Key Strengths: Close faculty-student mentorship, global history, and liberal arts excellence
Notable Program: The Williams College Museum of Art and archives support student-curated exhibits and research projects.
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What to Look for in a Strong Undergraduate History Program

When exploring the best colleges for history majors, it’s important to look beyond general university rankings or name recognition. A truly impactful undergraduate experience depends on finding a department that matches your academic interests, learning style, and long-term goals. Whether you're passionate about ancient civilizations, modern revolutions, or global trade networks, the right program will nurture your curiosity and prepare you for success after graduation.

Here are key factors every aspiring history major should consider when evaluating potential colleges:

1. Breadth and Depth of Course Offerings

A well-rounded history department should offer a diverse selection of courses that span:

• Geographic regions (e.g., U.S., Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, Middle East)
• Time periods (ancient, medieval, early modern, and modern)
• Thematic areas (e.g., political history, environmental history, gender and sexuality, intellectual movements, digital history)

The more varied the curriculum, the more opportunities you'll have to discover new interests, refine your focus, or even design your own concentration.

2. Faculty Expertise and Mentorship

Look at the faculty bios on the department’s website. Are there professors specializing in areas you're interested in? Do they conduct active research or publish in reputable journals?

Equally important is accessibility. Smaller class sizes and a culture of mentorship mean more opportunities to:

• Receive personalized feedback on research and writing
• Collaborate on independent projects or senior theses
• Build meaningful academic relationships that lead to strong recommendation letters

At schools like Yale, Harvard, and Princeton, many students benefit from working directly with faculty mentors—something programs like Nova Research also simulate by pairing high school students with professors from these same institutions.

3. Research Opportunities and Archival Access

Top-tier history programs often provide undergraduates with opportunities to conduct original research. Look for schools that:

• Offer funding for summer or independent research
• Maintain relationships with local or national archives and libraries
• Encourage thesis writing or capstone projects

For example, students at UC Berkeley might explore Bay Area oral history collections, while those at Oxford use primary source documents at the Bodleian Library. Engaging with original materials not only deepens historical understanding but also prepares you for graduate school or careers in research-heavy fields.

4. Study Abroad and Experiential Learning

Global perspectives are essential in today’s historical scholarship. A strong program will support:

• Study abroad programs tailored to history majors
• Fieldwork opportunities, such as archaeological digs or cultural heritage internships
• Partnerships with museums, historical societies, or research institutions

Some schools also offer immersive experiences during shorter academic terms (e.g., January terms or summer institutes) that allow for intensive study of specific topics or regions.

5. Writing Support and Capstone Options

Writing is the cornerstone of historical work. A department that prioritizes strong writing instruction will:

• Offer writing-intensive seminars from your first year onward
• Provide support for long-term projects like an honors thesis
• Help you build a writing portfolio useful for graduate school or job applications

Departments that publish undergraduate research journals or host history writing prizes also signal a strong emphasis on scholarly communication.
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Research and Mentorship Opportunities for Aspiring Historians

For high school students with a deep interest in history, it’s never too early to start developing the skills that will set you apart in top-tier humanities programs. Participating in structured research and mentorship programs can offer invaluable early exposure to the kinds of academic experiences typically reserved for undergraduates.

Programs like Nova Research (2.5–5 months), part of Nova Scholar Education, provide motivated high school and middle school students the opportunity to conduct original historical research with mentorship from professors and PhDs affiliated with Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, and Stanford. These guided experiences allow students to:

• Design and complete independent historical research projects
• Develop advanced academic writing and historiographical analysis
• Engage critically with primary sources, archival materials, and scholarly frameworks
• Present and possibly publish their findings

Through Nova Research—and its counterpart, Nova Patent, which supports students in innovation and intellectual property development—students learn how to think like scholars: methodically, creatively, and with intellectual rigor. These programs are especially valuable for students considering a senior thesis, history competition, or future academic career.

Many participants go on to attend leading history departments, having already built a foundation in research, inquiry, and argumentation that mirrors the work expected in top college programs.
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Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right History Program for You

Pursuing a degree in history is about much more than studying the past—it’s about learning how to think critically, argue persuasively, and understand the world through a wider lens. Whether you’re analyzing ancient texts, mapping the course of revolutions, or studying the rise and fall of empires, a history degree equips you with versatile skills that are relevant in virtually every field.

The colleges and universities highlighted in this guide—Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Berkeley, Oxford, and others—offer some of the most enriching and rigorous environments for history majors in 2025. But the right program for you will depend on several personal factors:

• Do you want close mentorship or prefer large-scale resources?
• Are you drawn to global perspectives or specific regional histories?
• Does your learning style thrive in small seminars or big lectures?
• Do you want access to public history initiatives, digital humanities labs, or archival fellowships?

Take time to explore each department’s offerings, speak with current students or alumni, and reflect on where you see yourself growing the most—both intellectually and personally.

Empower Your Journey Through History

Your college years will be a time of academic transformation and personal growth. By choosing a school that aligns with your goals and values—and seeking out opportunities like research, internships, or mentorship programs—you’ll be well-positioned to not only succeed as a history major but to make meaningful contributions to the field.

Whether your future lies in academia, law, journalism, public policy, or education, your journey through history begins with a single step: asking thoughtful questions and seeking answers that matter. The past isn’t just something to study—it’s a foundation for the future you’ll help shape.