European History: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the evolution of European society, culture, and political institutions across centuries, from antiquity to the contemporary era. This program equips students with analytical tools to interpret historical change through rigorous research, critical inquiry, and engagement with primary sources.
- European historiography: Examine the development of historical writing and interpretation across Europe, including major schools of thought and shifting perspectives on the past.
- Historical research methods: Master techniques for locating, evaluating, and synthesizing archival materials, manuscripts, and digital resources to construct evidence-based arguments.
- Primary source analysis: Engage directly with original documents, letters, legal texts, visual artifacts, and other foundational materials from different European regions and time periods.
- Thematic historical inquiry: Investigate enduring issues such as nationalism, revolution, colonialism, gender roles, and economic transformation across diverse European contexts.
- Period-specific study: Analyze pivotal eras including the medieval world, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the 19th-century nation-state formation, and the post–World War II integration of Europe.
- Institutional development: Study the origins and evolution of key political, religious, educational, and legal systems that have shaped European governance and civic life.
European History Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
European History Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with European History 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 653,980 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 |
European History Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $55,055 in Utah to $170,310 in Delaware—a 209% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 653,980 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 European History by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 4 institutions offering European History 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 European History is found at Salem State University (SSU) (4 graduates), University of Puerto Rico (UPR), Rio Piedras (4 graduates), Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) (3 graduates), and The Catholic University of America (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | uprrp.edu |
| Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) |
Other Award
|
3 | Joplin, Missouri | Public | mssu.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Master's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about European History programs
How much can I earn with a European History degree?
Salaries for European History 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 $170,310 compared to $55,055 in Utah. Approximately 653,980 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 European History programs?
Currently 4 accredited institutions offer European History degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Salem State University (SSU) (4 graduates), University of Puerto Rico (UPR), Rio Piedras (4 graduates), and Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) (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 European History growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 51 in 2010 to a peak of 28 in 2020, before declining slightly to 12 in 2023-24. This represents a 76% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 European History degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, History Teachers, Postsecondary, and Historians. Related occupations employ approximately 653,980 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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