History · Illinois

History colleges in Illinois

CampusPin lists 122 U.S. colleges in Illinois that offer History programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

History trains graduates in research, evidence, and argument, feeding into law, education, museums, government, and any field that values long-form analytical writing.

Schools in Illinois that offer History

History programs in Illinois: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 122 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

122

Public / private

28 / 22

Universities / 2-year

23 / 27

Cities represented

34

In-state tuition range

$3,180–$55,704

Median in-state tuition

$9,485

Lowest published in-state tuition

Elgin Community College

$3,180

Most selective

Chicago State University

41% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

DePaul University

21,257 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a History program

  • Survey courses across U.S., European, and world history
  • Historical methods and historiography
  • Primary-source research and archival skills
  • Field-specific advanced seminars
  • Senior research thesis
  • A foreign language (often required for graduate-bound students)

Where a History degree can lead

  • Lawyer (with JD)
  • High School History Teacher
  • Museum Curator / Archivist
  • Editor / Journalist
  • Foreign Service Officer
  • Policy Analyst

Typical pay: $42,000–$60,000 early-career

A History major covers a range of geographical and chronological fields, typically requiring a U.S. survey, a non-U.S. survey, methods, and a senior thesis. Programs emphasize primary-source research, archival work, and historiography. The major produces graduates who can synthesize large evidence bodies and write at length, both rare and valuable skills.

History pairs naturally with Pre-Law (top-3 LSAT-scoring major), Education, Political Science, or Foreign Languages. Graduates work in law, museums and archives, K–12 and higher-education teaching, journalism, government, and consulting.

History in other states

Other majors in Illinois

Find more History schools

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 122+ History programs in Illinois by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

Search History schools in IllinoisAbout the History majorAll colleges in Illinois

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