History Major Enrollment Plummets, Declining More Rapidly Than Other Disciplines in US Colleges

Enrollment in history programs at American colleges and universities has experienced a significant and sustained decline, outpacing other academic majors, according to recent data. This trend reflects a broader shift in student priorities and the evolving landscape of higher education.

"On American college campuses, history has been declining in popularity more rapidly than any other major," The New Yorker stated in a recent social media post, highlighting a critical issue facing humanities departments nationwide.

Statistics from the American Historical Association (AHA) reveal that the number of students earning bachelor's degrees in history fell precipitously after the 2008 Great Recession. By 2019, history accounted for less than 1.2 percent of all bachelor’s degrees awarded, marking the lowest share since 1949. While the rate of decline slowed slightly between 2018 and 2019, the overall trend remains downward, with some institutions reporting a 45 percent crash in history course enrollment over four years.

Experts attribute this decline to several factors, including the rising cost of college education and students' increased focus on career prospects. Angela D. Dillard, chair of the University of Michigan's History Department, noted, "College isn’t getting any cheaper, and students are weighing the cost of their education against their job prospects and earning potential." The emphasis on STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) as pathways to high-earning careers has also drawn students away from the humanities.

The perceived lack of a direct career path for history majors contributes to this shift. While history graduates develop critical thinking, research, and analytical skills valued by employers across various sectors, these connections are often less apparent than for vocational majors. History departments are actively working to articulate the value of their degrees, with some integrating digital humanities and data analytics to broaden skillsets.

The decline is widespread, affecting most demographic groups and institution types, though some online programs have seen growth. This trend has significant implications for resource allocation within universities and raises questions about the future of humanities education in the United States.