Top History Graduate Programs

The 2010 US News ranking of the top graduate schools in history—specifically for PhD programs—provides valuable insight into the institutions that offer world-class education and training in the discipline.

Below are the top universities in the US for history graduate programs as ranked by US News in 2010:

Princeton University

Ranked first in the 2010 US News league table, Princeton University has long been considered one of the preeminent institutions for graduate study in history. Princeton’s Department of History offers an exceptionally rigorous and intellectually stimulating environment for PhD candidates. Known for its strong emphasis on both traditional and innovative approaches to historical research, Princeton attracts scholars interested in a broad spectrum of historical periods and geographical areas. From ancient history to contemporary global dynamics, Princeton’s history program is characterized by its interdisciplinary focus, combining rigorous historical analysis with perspectives from political science, economics, anthropology, and other fields.

Princeton has built its reputation on the excellence of its faculty, which includes some of the most renowned historians in the world. Professors at Princeton are leaders in their fields, producing groundbreaking research and shaping the direction of historical scholarship. The university fosters a highly collaborative atmosphere, with faculty and students engaging in intellectual exchanges that push the boundaries of historical inquiry. The program also emphasizes close mentoring relationships, which is a hallmark of the graduate experience at Princeton. PhD students benefit from the personalized attention of faculty members who guide their research and encourage them to develop their own scholarly voices.

Another defining feature of Princeton’s history program is its commitment to research. The university is home to extensive resources, including the Firestone Library, one of the most comprehensive university libraries in the world. This access to primary sources, archival materials, and specialized collections enables PhD students to conduct original research at the highest level. Princeton also offers opportunities for students to teach, participate in scholarly conferences, and publish their work, all of which contribute to the development of well-rounded historians capable of making significant academic contributions.

Stanford University

Sharing the top spot in the 2010 ranking with Princeton is Stanford University, another institution that stands out as a leader in graduate education in history. Stanford’s Department of History has earned a reputation for its innovative approach to historical scholarship, particularly in the areas of American, European, Asian, and Latin American history. Stanford is known for fostering an interdisciplinary approach, encouraging students to engage with history through the lenses of political science, sociology, literature, and cultural studies. This emphasis on cross-disciplinary perspectives allows students to develop a broad and sophisticated understanding of the past while cultivating critical analytical skills.

Stanford’s history faculty is composed of leading scholars whose research spans a wide range of historical periods and methodologies. The faculty members are not only accomplished scholars but also dedicated mentors who provide personalized guidance to their graduate students. The university places a strong emphasis on developing students’ independent research skills, helping them to carve out new areas of inquiry and contribute original insights to the field.

Stanford’s location in the heart of Silicon Valley also offers unique opportunities for interdisciplinary work that connects history with other fields, such as technology, business, and global studies. Additionally, Stanford’s libraries, including the Green Library and the Hoover Institution Library and Archives, provide students with access to a wealth of primary sources and archival materials. The university’s commitment to research excellence, coupled with its collaborative atmosphere, makes it a prime destination for aspiring historians.

University of California, Berkeley

Another institution tied for first place in the 2010 US News ranking is the University of California, Berkeley, or UC Berkeley. Berkeley has long been one of the most prestigious and influential centers for graduate study in history. The Department of History at UC Berkeley is widely regarded for its breadth and diversity, offering a comprehensive range of courses that cover everything from ancient civilizations to modern global history. Berkeley is particularly well known for its expertise in areas such as American history, European history, Asian history, and the history of science and technology.

One of the distinguishing features of UC Berkeley’s history program is its emphasis on the global scope of historical inquiry. The department encourages students to think beyond national boundaries and to explore the interconnectedness of different regions and cultures. UC Berkeley also places a strong emphasis on historical theory and methodology, ensuring that PhD students develop the analytical tools they need to engage with both primary and secondary sources critically. Students are trained to think about history not just as a series of events but as a complex web of social, cultural, and political processes.

Berkeley’s distinguished faculty members are leaders in their respective fields, producing cutting-edge research on a wide array of topics. The university’s location in California offers students access to a rich intellectual environment, with numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary work and collaboration with scholars in other departments. Furthermore, UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library is a treasure trove of primary source materials, particularly in the areas of Latin American, Western U.S., and California history, making it an invaluable resource for graduate students conducting research.

Yale University

Yale University, another institution tied for first place in the 2010 US News ranking, is renowned for its outstanding graduate programs in the humanities, and its Department of History is no exception. Yale has built a global reputation for the quality of its historical scholarship, particularly in the fields of early modern European history, American history, and the history of the Atlantic World. Yale’s history department is characterized by its intellectual rigor and its commitment to fostering a diverse range of approaches to the study of history.

Yale’s graduate program emphasizes close faculty-student mentorship, with faculty members providing individualized guidance and support for students at all stages of their PhD research. The department’s research strengths span a wide range of topics, and students are encouraged to pursue their own interests while engaging with the broader scholarly community at Yale. Additionally, the university’s Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library and its extensive archival collections provide graduate students with rich resources for historical research.

Yale’s program is also known for its strong focus on theory and historiography, ensuring that students develop a nuanced understanding of the ways in which history is written and interpreted. The department fosters a vibrant intellectual community, with numerous opportunities for students to present their research, engage in debates, and participate in scholarly conferences. Yale’s emphasis on interdisciplinary study also allows students to integrate historical research with insights from fields such as political science, law, and literature.

Harvard University

Tied for fifth place in the 2010 ranking is Harvard University, which is one of the most prestigious institutions in the world for graduate study in history. Harvard’s Department of History is renowned for its vast and diverse faculty, which includes some of the most influential historians in a wide range of fields. The university offers a PhD program that covers a broad spectrum of historical periods and regions, from ancient history to contemporary global studies.

Harvard’s history program emphasizes research excellence and critical analysis, encouraging students to develop their own scholarly perspectives and engage with cutting-edge historiographical debates. The university’s libraries, including the Harvard University Library system and the Houghton Library, provide unparalleled access to primary sources, manuscripts, and archival materials. Harvard’s interdisciplinary focus allows history students to work closely with scholars from other fields, enriching their understanding of historical issues from multiple perspectives.

In addition to its academic resources, Harvard is home to a vibrant intellectual community, with numerous seminars, workshops, and lectures that facilitate scholarly exchange. The university’s extensive network of alumni and its close ties to prominent academic institutions and research centers ensure that Harvard PhD graduates are well-positioned to succeed in academia and beyond.

University of Chicago

Also tied for fifth place in the 2010 rankings is the University of Chicago, a university known for its intellectual rigor and its distinctive approach to historical scholarship. Chicago’s Department of History is one of the oldest and most respected in the United States, and it offers a diverse range of graduate programs with a particular emphasis on historical theory, intellectual history, and global history. The university’s commitment to interdisciplinary study encourages history students to engage with other academic disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, and philosophy.

Chicago’s faculty is composed of internationally recognized historians who are known for their innovative research and teaching. The university’s library system, which includes the Regenstein Library, is one of the most comprehensive in the world, providing students with access to a vast array of historical materials. The University of Chicago’s emphasis on intellectual diversity and critical thinking makes it an ideal environment for students looking to push the boundaries of historical research.

Ranking of Top Graduate Schools in History (PhD programs):

League Table 2010 (Top 20 list):
1 Princeton University
1 Stanford University
1 University of California--Berkeley
1 Yale University
5 Harvard University
5 University of Chicago
7 Columbia University
7 University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
9 Johns Hopkins University
9 University of California--Los Angeles
9 University of Pennsylvania
12 Cornell University
12 University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill
14 Duke University
14 Northwestern University
14 University of Wisconsin--Madison
17 Brown University
17 New York University
17 University of Texas--Austin
20 Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey--New Brunswick
20 University of Virginia (Corcoran)

League Table 2006:
1. Yale University
2. Princeton University
2. University of California–Berkeley
4. Harvard University
4. Stanford University
4. University of Chicago
7. Columbia University
7. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
9. Johns Hopkins University
9. University of California–Los Angeles
11. Cornell University
11. University of Wisconsin–Madison
13. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
13. University of Pennsylvania
15. Brown University
15. Duke University
17. Northwestern University
17. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey–New Brunswick
19. Indiana University–Bloomington
19. University of Texas–Austin
19. University of Virginia
22. New York University
22. University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign
22. University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
25. University of Maryland–College Park
26. CUNY Graduate School and University Center
26. Ohio State University
26. University of California–Davis
29. Emory University
29. University of Washington
29. Vanderbilt University
32. College of William and Mary
32. Georgetown University
32. University of California–Irvine
32. University of California–San Diego
32. University of California–Santa Barbara
32. University of Iowa
32. University of Notre Dame
39. Brandeis University
39. Rice University
39. Washington University in St. Louis
42. Claremont Graduate University
42. Princeton Theological Seminary
42. University of Illinois–Chicago
42. University of Pittsburgh
46. Carnegie Mellon University
46. University of Arizona
46. University of Florida
46. University of Kansas
46. University of Southern California
51. Arizona State University
51. Boston College
51. George Mason University
51. Pennsylvania State University–University Park
51. University of Colorado–Boulder
51. University of Connecticut
51. University of Georgia
51. University of Massachusetts–Amherst
59. Boston University
59. George Washington University
59. Michigan State University
59. SUNY–Stony Brook
59. Uni of California–Riverside
59. Uni of California–Santa Cruz
59. Uni of New Mexico
59. Uni of Oregon
59. Uni of Rochester
68. Binghamton Univ
68. Purdue Univ–West Lafayette
68. Teachers College, Columbia Univ
68. Tulane Univ
68. Uni of Delaware
68. Uni of Missouri–Columbia
74. Louisiana State Univ–Baton Rouge
74. Ohio Univ
74. Temple Univ
74. Texas A&M Univ–College Station
74. Tufts Univ
74. Uni of Nebraska–Lincoln
74. Uni of South Carolina–Columbia
81. American Univ
81. Fordham Univ
81. Jewish Theological Seminary of America
81. Syracuse Univ
81. Univ at Buffalo–SUNY
81. Uni of Kentucky
87. Iowa State Univ
87. St. Louis Univ
87. Uni of Miami
87. Uni of Oklahoma
87. Uni of Tennessee–Knoxville

Source: US News & World Report