Best colleges for History in New York
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the New York programs in the federal field-of-study file, Columbia University in the City of New York leads: its History graduates earn a median $98,079 four years after finishing, against the field's $50,680 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $98,079 | +$47,399 |
| 2 | Cornell University | $82,031 | +$31,351 |
| 3 | Colgate University | $75,784 | +$25,104 |
Frequently asked questions
Which New York college is best for History?
By graduate earnings, Columbia University in the City of New York — its History bachelor's graduates earn a median $98,079 four years out, the highest of the 3 New York programs in the federal file.
What do History graduates earn in New York?
Across the ranked New York programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $75,784 to $98,079. The field's national median is $50,680.
Is a History degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — History graduates earn $2,320/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.