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Major · History

The strategy and context of through the ages

Military History explores the evolution of warfare and its profound impact on societies and international relations. You study military organization, strategy, and leadership to understand how conflicts have shaped the modern world. With 130 annual completions, it is a specialized path for those seeking to analyze the intersection of power and politics.

Schools offering
7
Annual completions
130
Typical degree level
Associate's + Bachelor's
Median earnings (5yr)
$52k

About this major

A program that focuses on the study of the history of warfare and military institutions in their operational, politico-economic and socio-cultural contexts; including airpower history, naval history, and military history. Includes instruction in military organization, military operations, the history of technology, leadership and biography, military psychology and behavior, international relations and politics, economics, aspects of general and regional history, cultural history and anthropology, historiography, and applicable quantitative methods.

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 Military History

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

College Location Assoc. Bach. Total
American Public University System Charles Town, WV 25 28 53
Liberty University Lynchburg, VA 5 42 47
Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI 0 12 12
Park University Parkville, MO 0 8 8
United States Military Academy West Point, NY 0 7 7
Marquette University Milwaukee, WI 0 2 2
Rogers State University Claremore, OK 0 1 1
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

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

History and Political Science

48 completions/yr

Considering this direction?

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

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

Common questions

What do Military History majors actually study day-to-day?
You spend your time analyzing the operational and socio-cultural contexts of warfare. This involves studying military organization, biography, and psychology, as well as the history of technology. The subject matter ranges from naval and airpower history to the complex economic and political factors that drive international conflict.
Do I need a bachelor's, or is an associate's enough for Military History?
While associate's degrees are available, 25 out of 130 graduates last year completed an associate's compared to 105 earning a bachelor's. For careers like managers or historians, a bachelor's or even a master's is often the typical education required for entry-level roles.
What kinds of jobs do Military History graduates end up in?
Direct historical roles include historians (median $74,050) and postsecondary teachers, though both typically require master's or doctoral degrees. For students stopping at a bachelor's, common entry-level paths include government service, defense contracting, intelligence analysis, or archival work. The data also shows many graduates eventually climbing into general management roles (median wage $136,550), which reflects long-term career progression rather than an entry-level starting point.
What's a common next step after a Military History degree?
Many graduates pursue advanced degrees to qualify for specialized roles. For instance, historians typically need a master's degree, while postsecondary history teachers usually require a doctoral or professional degree. Those entering the workforce immediately often find roles in management or general administration.
Is the job market competitive for this major?
For formal academic and historian roles, it is highly competitive. The job market for historians projects a modest 2.2% growth, while postsecondary teaching positions are actually shrinking slightly (-0.2%). However, because this degree builds elite skills in strategic analysis, research, and understanding complex geopolitical systems, graduates who pivot toward the broader government, intelligence, or corporate management sectors face much stronger job prospects and growth rates.