History majors are regularly told they'll be waiters. The data says otherwise — history graduates feed into law, teaching, federal government, archives, museum work, consulting, journalism, and business. The major builds research, writing, and argument skills that transfer broadly.

At a Glance

  • Strong pre-law and pre-graduate major.
  • K-12 teaching requires licensure in most states.
  • Federal agencies hire history BAs for analyst roles.
  • Historian median wage (BLS May 2024): $72,890 (small field).

What It Is

A history major trains in primary-source research, argument construction, and synthesis across time periods and regions.

Who It Suits

  • Strong readers and writers.
  • Pre-law, pre-government students.
  • Future teachers and archivists.

Levels and Credentials

DegreeOpensBA HistoryTeaching (+licensure), government, analyst rolesMA History/Public HistoryArchives, museums, historical consultingPhDAcademia (tight)

Online vs Campus

Online BA history programs at public universities are solid for working students; on-campus offers better research mentorship.

Careers and Salaries

Wages below are May 2024 national medians from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

RoleMedian wage (BLS May 2024)Historians$72,890High School Teachers$64,580Archivists, Curators & Museum Workers$57,120Lawyers (after JD)$151,160

What Programs Cost

Public in-state BA: $40k-$80k. Private: $120k-$220k. MA: $15k-$50k.

How to Choose

  1. Pair with a career-facing minor (business, data, education).
  2. Target programs with strong internship/placement support.
  3. Build writing and research artifacts.

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming PhD leads to tenure track — market is tiny.
  • Skipping internships in policy, museums, or government.

Glossary

Public historyApplied history in museums, archives, policy, and media.

FAQ

Can I get hired with just a history BA? Yes — analyst, teaching, government paths are all open.

Key Takeaways

  • Pair history with a skill or minor.
  • Expect to build career via pairing, not credential alone.

History graduates do fine — when they pair their major with internships, a complementary skill, and an intentional career plan.