Best History Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 22 colleges offering History programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 520 recent graduates. Graduates earn $30,402 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $30,243.

School choice matters significantly: Northwestern University graduates earn $38,505 while Monmouth College graduates earn $25,194 — a $13,311 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in IL

$30,402

IL Avg. Earnings

$30,243

National Avg.

607

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: History in Illinois

Public Schools (10)

$30,124

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (12)

$30,654

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $530 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

History Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

$38,505

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,991

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 7.1%

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$39,369

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,346

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 4.8%

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$32,569

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 81.4%

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$28,870

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,997

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 78.5%

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public

$27,126

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,685

Graduates: 32

Acceptance: 70.4%

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

$28,236

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,826

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 90.4%

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$35,823

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,922

Graduates: 76

Acceptance: 89.0%

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$23,340

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,281

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 73.5%

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$27,765

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,908

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 75.0%

#10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$31,314

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,201

Graduates: 48

Acceptance: 97.2%

#11

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$31,314

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,482

Graduates: 52

Acceptance: 43.7%

#12

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$36,437

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,454

Graduates: 54

Acceptance: 70.5%

#13

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL · Public

Augustana College

Rock Island, IL · Private

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public

$26,121

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,456

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 67.8%

#16

North Central College

Naperville, IL · Private

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL · Private

Eureka College

Eureka, IL · Private

Aurora University

Aurora, IL · Private

$27,048

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,003

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 85.1%

#21

North Park University

Chicago, IL · Private

Monmouth College

Monmouth, IL · Private

$25,194

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 86.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for History in Illinois?

Northwestern University ranks #1 for History in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $38,505 within two years of graduation. There are 22 schools offering History programs in the state.

How much do History graduates earn in Illinois?

History graduates in Illinois earn an average of $30,402 within two years of graduation. This is 1% above the national average of $30,243 for this major.

What is the hardest History school to get into in Illinois?

University of Chicago is the most selective History program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 4.8%. The average acceptance rate across History programs in the state is 71.1%.

Should I attend a public or private school for History in Illinois?

In Illinois, private History programs produce average earnings of $30,654 vs $30,124 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 12 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318

All colleges in Illinois →

History in Other States

New York Pennsylvania California Texas Ohio Massachusetts Virginia New Jersey Wisconsin North Carolina Georgia Indiana View All →

Get History Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI analysis by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.