by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 104 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value history schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Williams College tops our 2026 list of the best value history schools in the New England Region. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. History graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans. History graduates of Williams College earn a median of $53,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,615 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #2 spot this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. History graduates carry a median of $12,721 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $53,468. That is a strong return on a $12,721 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #3 makes Amherst College one of the best values for history. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,398. History graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $56,444 early in their careers. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capital Community College earned it the #4 place for history. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,059. History graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Worcester State University earned it the #5 place for history. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. History graduates carry a median of $24,610 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $38,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #6 position for value in history this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Early-career history graduates make about $36,876. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Central Connecticut State University came in at #7 for value in history this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. History graduates carry a median of $23,604 in student loans. History graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $30,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,604 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $34,836. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rhode Island College landed the #9 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. History graduates carry a median of $24,141 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $31,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Bridgewater State University landed the #10 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $34,215. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Salem State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bowdoin College earned the #12 position for value in history this year. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $58,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #13 for value in history this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,862. History graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $46,908 early in their careers. Set against $24,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #14 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Students borrow a median of $21,469 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $34,319. That is a strong return on a $21,469 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #15 spot for history value this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,250. History graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $27,586 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Westfield State University earned the #16 position for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $24,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Maine landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $31,357. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Plymouth State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Students borrow a median of $26,972 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $45,528. That is a strong return on a $26,972 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Connecticut State University earned the #19 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,401 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,901 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $47,559. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Vermont ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,497 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $28,254. That is a strong return on a $20,497 median debt. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #21 position for value in history this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $30,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #22 among the best values for history. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $34,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Colby College earned the #23 position for value in history this year. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut placed #24 among the best values for history. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,470. Early-career history graduates make about $27,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Keene State College came in at #25 for value in history this year. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,784 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. History graduates carry a median of $26,342 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $41,049. Set against $26,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s history value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.