Best Schools for Historic Preservation and Conservation

Historic Preservation and Conservation graduates earn a median of $51,229 within four years of graduating, ranking #242 out of 283 tracked majors — 18% below the median across all fields. There are 2 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 57 recent graduates.

Earnings for Historic Preservation and Conservation vary little between colleges — $44,823 to $57,635 from bottom to top. That is the usual pattern: the field you choose separates earnings more than the college you choose.

Schools

$51,229

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#242

of 283 Majors

Graduates

Historic Preservation and Conservation by State

Top Historic Preservation and Conservation Schools by Graduate Earnings

College of Charleston

Charleston, SC · Public

$57,635

4yr Earnings

27 grads · small sample

2yr: $30,228 (34)

1yr: $30,387 (26)

Acceptance: 72.0%

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA · Public

$44,823

4yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

2yr: $26,933 (24)

1yr: $24,160 (31)

Acceptance: 86.3%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Natural Sciences $29,014 English Language and Literature, General $28,967 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies $28,862 Bible/Biblical Studies $28,836 Biology, General $28,687 Communications Technology/Technician $28,382

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Historic Preservation and Conservation?

College of Charleston ranks #1 for Historic Preservation and Conservation with median graduate earnings of $57,635 within four years of graduating. There are 2 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Historic Preservation and Conservation graduates earn?

Historic Preservation and Conservation graduates earn an average of $51,229 within four years of graduating. This is 18% below the median across all majors. Earnings range from $44,823 to $57,635 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Historic Preservation and Conservation program?

The average acceptance rate across Historic Preservation and Conservation programs is 79.1%. The most selective program is at College of Charleston with a 72.0% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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