2027 Best Value Public/Applied History Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Public/Applied History](/majors/history/history/public-applied-history/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public/applied history students.
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2027 Best Value Public/Applied History Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public/applied history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public/Applied History Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny College Of Staten Island the best value for a degree in public/applied history in the United States. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $12,648 to complete the public/applied history program here. Public/applied History graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #2 place for public/applied history. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $18,000. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $32,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public/applied history will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #3. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $13,141 in student loans. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $24,077. Set against $13,141 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #4 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for public/applied history. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public/applied history degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Kentucky University one of the best values for public/applied history. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $30,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public/applied history degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $29,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of North Alabama came in at #6 for value in public/applied history this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $19,350 in student loans. Public/applied History graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $27,927 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,350 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public/applied history schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $18,500. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $35,391. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island College earned the #8 position for value in public/applied history this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $24,141 to complete the public/applied history program here. Public/applied History graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. Set against $24,141 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value public/applied history schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $28,513. Public/applied History graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,513 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Wayne State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public/applied history schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $32,544. Public/applied History graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $41,874 early in their careers. Set against $32,544 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value public/applied history schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $23,100. Public/applied History graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $32,577 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,100 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia earned the #12 position for value in public/applied history this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Students borrow a median of $29,990 to complete the public/applied history program here. Public/applied History graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $35,074 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Suny Empire State College earned the #13 position for value in public/applied history this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Students borrow a median of $30,992 to complete the public/applied history program here. Public/applied History graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Set against $30,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #14 spot for public/applied history value this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $23,257. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $45,115. That is a strong return on a $23,257 median debt. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value public/applied history schools. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Students borrow a median of $24,241 to complete the public/applied history program here. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for public/applied history. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $19,276. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $49,077. Set against $19,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #17 for value in public/applied history this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the public/applied history program here. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $27,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Nicholls State University earned the #18 position for value in public/applied history this year. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,149, with out-of-state students paying around $9,242. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $28,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public/applied history degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $43,888. Set against $28,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nicholls State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Salem State University placed #19 among the best values for public/applied history. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $27,000. Public/applied History graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $29,307 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #20 for value in public/applied history this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $27,000. Public/applied History graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value public/applied history schools. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,034 to complete the public/applied history program here. Public/applied History graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Utah landed the #22 spot for public/applied history value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the public/applied history program here. Public/applied History graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $28,277 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Black Hills State University came in at #23 for value in public/applied history this year. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $26,820. Public/applied History graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $42,789 early in their careers. Set against $26,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
East Tennessee State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value public/applied history schools. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $27,799. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #25 for value in public/applied history this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $19,800. Public/applied History graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $33,251 early in their careers. Set against $19,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public/Applied History Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public/applied history value ranking:
Other Public/Applied History Degree Levels
Explore the best-value public/applied history schools at other degree levels:
View All Public/Applied History Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
