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CIP 54.0108 History

Military History

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

270

2025 · 9 schools

International share

0.4%

1 international students

Bachelor's degrees

112

0.9% international

Master's degrees

132

0.0% international

Overview

Military History is an academic discipline that explores the history of armed conflict and its impact on societies, cultures, and politics throughout time. This field examines various aspects of warfare, including strategic, tactical, social, and economic dimensions, as well as the experiences of soldiers and civilians affected by conflict.

Students studying Military History delve into significant wars, battles, and military leaders, analyzing how these events shaped national identities and influenced global relations. The curriculum often includes the study of ancient, medieval, and modern warfare, providing a comprehensive understanding of how military strategies and technologies have evolved over centuries. Additionally, Military History encompasses topics such as the role of women in warfare, the psychological effects of combat, and the moral implications of military actions.

This discipline also encourages critical thinking and analytical skills, as students assess primary and secondary sources, engage in debates, and conduct research projects. Graduates with a degree in Military History may pursue careers in education, museums, historical preservation, government, and the military, or they may work as authors and researchers in historical consulting.

Overall, Military History offers insights into the past that remain relevant in understanding contemporary conflicts and international relations, making it a vital field of study for those interested in the complexities of human behavior in the context of war.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2010 to 2025, graduates grew 9% and the international share went from 0.4% to 0.4%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
70.0%
Asian
1.1%
Hispanic
10.0%
Black
3.0%
Other
15.6%
Intl.
0.4%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 9 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#90 Marquette University Wisconsin 1 0
#365 Liberty University Virginia 86 0
LAC #9 The United States Military Academy at West Point New York 20 0
— American Public University System West Virginia 105 1
— Norwich University Vermont 23 0
— Citadel Military College of South Carolina South Carolina 15 0
— Park University Missouri 10 0
— Hawaii Pacific University Hawaii 8 0
— Rogers State University Oklahoma 1 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Managers, All Other 622,190 $73.99 $153,890
History Teachers, Postsecondary 18,790 — $96,580
Historians 3,450 $39.06 $81,240

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2010–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.