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Major · History

Trace Europe's every turning point, from ancient roots to modern institutions

European History majors analyze the development of European society, culture, and institutions across millennia. While thousands study this field, most universities report it under General History; as a standalone coded major, it is a highly specialized administrative pathway tracked by a select few colleges for students fascinated by the continent's complex past.

Schools offering
9
Annual completions
7
Typical degree level
Bachelor's
Median earnings (5yr)
$52k

About this major

A program that focuses on the development of European society, culture, and institutions from the origins to the present. Includes instruction in European historiography, European history sources and materials, historical research methods, and applications to the study of specific themes, issues, periods, and institutions.

Section 3 · Careers

Where this major leads

Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.

Occupation Median wage Job growth Typical education
Managers, all other $137k +4.5% Bachelor's degree
History teachers, postsecondary $82k -0.2% Doctoral or professional degree
Historians $74k +2.2% Master's degree
Section 4 · Earnings

Earnings at a glance

Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.

Median 5-year earnings

$52k

Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings

Associate's

$43k

Bachelor's

$52k

Section 6 · Where to study

Top colleges for European History

Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.

College Location Assoc. Bach. Total
Salem State University Salem, MA 0 4 4
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras San Juan, PR 0 3 3
Harvard University Cambridge, MA 0 0 0
Keene State College Keene, NH 0 0 0
Lycoming College Williamsport, PA 0 0 0
Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN 0 0 0
Reinhardt University Waleska, GA 0 0 0
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA 0 0 0
University of Idaho Moscow, ID 0 0 0
Section 7 · Explore sideways

Related majors to explore

History, General

22,597 completions/yr

History and Language/Literature

317 completions/yr

History, Other

294 completions/yr

Public/Applied History

134 completions/yr

Military History

130 completions/yr

History and Philosophy of Science and Technology

119 completions/yr

Ancient Studies/Civilization

85 completions/yr

Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology

68 completions/yr

Considering this direction?

We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the European History field. Read our verdict before you commit.

Is European History worth it? Read verdict
Section 9 · Frequently asked

Common questions

What do European History majors actually study day-to-day?
Students engage with historiography, primary source analysis, and research methods while tracing European development from antiquity to present. Coursework covers institutional evolution, cultural shifts, and historical methodology. The CIP definition emphasizes instruction in European history sources, materials, and research techniques applied to specific periods, themes, and institutions.
What kinds of jobs do European History graduates end up in?
The most common career paths include historians (median wage $74,050, requires master's degree), history teachers at postsecondary institutions (median $81,500, requires doctoral degree), and various management roles (median $136,550, bachelor's degree). With only 7 annual completions, most graduates use this degree as preparation for advanced study rather than direct entry into specialized history careers.
Is a bachelor's degree enough for European History, or do I need advanced study?
This major is typically offered only at the bachelor's level, but the career outcomes tell a clearer story. Historians require a master's degree (median $74,050), while history teachers at colleges need a doctoral or professional degree (median $81,500). The bachelor's alone can lead to management roles paying $136,550, but specialized history careers demand additional education.
How competitive is the job market for European History majors?
Job growth for historians is modest at 2.2%, while postsecondary history teachers face a slight decline at -0.2%. Do not be fooled by the "7 annual graduates" metric—you are competing against the thousands of students graduating under the History, General major, as well as those with master's degrees and PhDs. The limited number of specialized academic and museum positions makes this a highly competitive market that often requires geographic mobility and advanced credentialing.
What related majors should I consider alongside European History?
History General (CIP 54.0101) is the obvious parent field with 22,597 completions—far larger and more versatile. Military History (130 completions) and Public/Applied History (134 completions) offer related specializations. If you're drawn to the interdisciplinary angle, History and Language/Literature (317 completions) combines historical study with linguistic and literary analysis.