American History (United States): Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the evolution of American society, culture, and institutions from pre-Columbian times to the modern era through a rigorous, research-driven academic lens. This program equips students with analytical tools and deep contextual understanding to interpret pivotal moments, movements, and transformations that have shaped the United States.
- American historiography: Examine the development and methodologies of historical writing about the United States, including shifts in interpretation across different eras and scholarly perspectives.
- Historical research methods: Master techniques for sourcing, evaluating, and synthesizing primary and secondary materials to construct evidence-based historical narratives.
- Primary source analysis: Engage directly with original documents, artifacts, and records—such as letters, speeches, legal texts, and visual media—to uncover historical meaning and context.
- Themes in U.S. history: Investigate enduring topics like democracy, civil rights, economic development, immigration, and social reform across different historical periods.
- Period-specific studies: Delve into distinct eras—including colonial America, the Civil War, the Progressive Era, the Cold War, and contemporary developments—with critical attention to political, cultural, and demographic dynamics.
- Institutional development: Analyze the origins and evolution of key American institutions such as the federal government, the legal system, educational frameworks, and the military.
American History (United States) Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
American History (United States) Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with American History (United States) degrees, including Managers, All Other, History Teachers, Postsecondary and Historians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,726,520 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| History Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1125 | $81,500 | $47,730 - $158,140 | 19,860 | N/A |
| Historians 19-3093 | $74,050 | $38,630 - $128,500 | 3,140 | $35.60 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
American History (United States) Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $61,463 in Utah to $122,865 in Delaware—a 100% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, Massachusetts, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,726,520 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for American History (United States) by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 9 institutions offering American History (United States) programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in American History (United States) is found at Gettysburg College (177 graduates), Ashland University (54 graduates), Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR), Metro (3 graduates), Salem State University (SSU) (2 graduates), and Shenandoah University (SU) (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 242 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gettysburg College |
Master's
|
177 | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania | Private | gettysburg.edu |
| Ashland University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
54 | Ashland, Ohio | Private | ashland.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | metro.inter.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| Adams State University |
Master's
|
1 | Alamosa, Colorado | Public | adams.edu |
| Dordt University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Sioux Center, Iowa | Private | dordt.edu |
| Madonna University |
Other Award
|
1 | Livonia, Michigan | Private | madonna.edu |
| United States Military Academy (USMA) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | West Point, New York | Public | westpoint.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about American History (United States) programs
How much can I earn with a American History (United States) degree?
Salaries for American History (United States) graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while History Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $81,500. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Delaware average $122,865 compared to $61,463 in Utah. Approximately 1,726,520 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest American History (United States) programs?
Currently 9 accredited institutions offer American History (United States) degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Gettysburg College (177 graduates), Ashland University (54 graduates), and Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR), Metro (3 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in American History (United States) growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 163 in 2010 to 242 in 2023-24. This represents a 48% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a American History (United States) degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, History Teachers, Postsecondary, and Historians. Related occupations employ approximately 1,726,520 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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