Public History: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Public History is a dynamic field dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing historical narratives for broad public engagement. It bridges academic scholarship with practical application, empowering professionals to manage historical resources and shape public understanding of the past through museums, archives, historic sites, and community initiatives.
- Historical Research Methods: Advanced techniques for gathering, analyzing, and verifying historical data from diverse primary and secondary sources, ensuring accuracy and contextual depth in public-facing projects.
- Public History Project Planning: Strategic development of initiatives such as exhibitions, oral history collections, and commemorative events, with emphasis on audience engagement and accessibility.
- Historical Resource Management: Best practices for organizing, preserving, and digitizing archival materials, artifacts, and records within institutional settings like libraries, museums, and government repositories.
- Community and Institutional Collaboration: Approaches to working with local communities, cultural organizations, and public agencies to co-create historically meaningful programs that reflect diverse perspectives and experiences.
- Interpretation and Communication: Skills in translating complex historical content into compelling, ethical, and inclusive narratives suitable for public audiences through digital platforms, signage, educational materials, and multimedia presentations.
Public History Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Public History Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Public 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 686,380 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 |
| Curators 25-4012 | $61,770 | $37,110 - $105,520 | 12,280 | $29.70 |
| Archivists 25-4011 | $61,570 | $39,330 - $104,780 | 7,050 | $29.60 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators 25-4013 | $47,460 | $30,720 - $82,790 | 13,070 | $22.82 |
Public History Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $50,926 in Utah to $118,010 in North Dakota—a 132% difference. The highest-paying states include North Dakota, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 686,380 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 Public History by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 54 institutions offering Public 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 Public History is found at Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (483 graduates), North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh (20 graduates), Northern Kentucky University (NKU) (17 graduates), California State University, Sacramento (12 graduates), and Empire State University (11 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 743 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
483 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Northern Kentucky University (NKU) |
Master's
|
17 | Highland Heights, Kentucky | Public | nku.edu |
| California State University |
Master's
|
12 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Empire State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 | Saratoga Springs, New York | Public | sunyempire.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
|
10 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
| California State University (CSUSB) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | San Bernardino, California | Public | csusb.edu |
| Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) |
Master's
|
8 | New Britain, Connecticut | Public | ccsu.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Master's
|
8 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| Liberty University |
Master's
|
8 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Other Award
|
7 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| University of North Alabama (UNA) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
6 | Florence, Alabama | Public | una.edu |
| Nicholls State University |
Other Award
|
6 | Thibodaux, Louisiana | Public | nicholls.edu |
| College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Staten Island, New York | Public | csi.cuny.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Master's
|
5 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Flagler College (Flagler) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Saint Augustine, Florida | Private | flagler.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | esu.edu |
| Saint Vincent College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Latrobe, Pennsylvania | Private | stvincent.edu |
| Waynesburg University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Waynesburg, Pennsylvania | Private | waynesburg.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
3 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Joplin, Missouri | Public | mssu.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
3 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Nazareth University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Rochester, New York | Private | www2.naz.edu |
| Siena College |
Other Award
|
3 | Loudonville, New York | Private | siena.edu |
| St. John's University (SJU) |
Master's
|
3 | Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) |
Other Award
|
3 | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Public | sru.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Master's
|
3 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| St. Mary's University |
Master's
|
3 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | stmarytx.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| Peru State College |
Other Award
|
2 | Peru, Nebraska | Public | peru.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Cairn University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Langhorne, Pennsylvania | Private | cairn.edu |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Johnson City, Tennessee | Public | etsu.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| University of Mobile |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mobile, Alabama | Private | umobile.edu |
| Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Private | obu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Meredith College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Private | meredith.edu |
| Ursuline College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Pepper Pike, Ohio | Private | ursuline.edu |
| Wright State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | wright.edu |
| Messiah University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Private | messiah.edu |
| York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | York, Pennsylvania | Private | ycp.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Public History programs
How much can I earn with a Public History degree?
Salaries for Public 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 North Dakota average $118,010 compared to $50,926 in Utah. Approximately 686,380 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 Public History programs?
Currently 54 accredited institutions offer Public History degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (483 graduates), North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh (20 graduates), and Northern Kentucky University (NKU) (17 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 Public History growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 202 in 2010 to 743 in 2023-24. This represents a 268% 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 Public History degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, History Teachers, Postsecondary, and Historians. Related occupations employ approximately 686,380 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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