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2023 Best Value History Schools

376 Ranked Colleges
32,731 Degrees Awarded
$16,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value History Schools

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value History Schools” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

History is the 23rd most popular major in the country with 32,731 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, history graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $30,467 and had an average of $23,587 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value History Schools” ranking analyzed 376 colleges that offered a degree in history. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great history programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the history program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank History Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More History Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value History Schools” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value History Schools

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value History Schools.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for History

1
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

Out of the 376 schools in the Best Value History Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, American Public University System landed the #1 spot on the list. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s history degrees to 398 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, American Military University is in the top on our “Best History Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend American Public University System is $10,563 for History students.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about History at American Public University System

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value History Schools. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 101 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU also claimed a top spot on our “Best History Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Brigham Young University - Provo is $13,474 for History students.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on History at BYU

3

Out of the 376 schools in the Best Value History Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Idaho landed the #3 spot on the list. Brigham Young University - Idaho is located in Rexburg, Idaho and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 90 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,698 for History students per year to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at Brigham Young University - Idaho

4
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ashland University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools list. Located in Ashland, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 75 degrees to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,974 for history students per year to attend Ashland.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Ashland History Report

5

Out of the 376 schools in the Best Value History Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #5 spot on the list. Arizona State University - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 287 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about History at Arizona State University - Skysong

6
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools ranking. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 15 degrees to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,578 for history students per year to attend South Dakota State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at South Dakota State University

7
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools ranking. SRU is a medium-sized public school situated in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. It awarded 66 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,927 for history students per year to attend SRU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full SRU History Report

8
9

With a ranking of #9, University of Maryland Global Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools list. Located in Adelphi, Maryland, this large public school awarded 119 degrees to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,395 for History students per year to attend University of Maryland Global Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at UMGC

10
Southern Miss crest
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value History Schools list. Located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, this fairly large public school awarded 50 diplomas to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern Mississippi is $14,032 for history students.

Read full report on History at University of Southern Mississippi

11

With a ranking of #11, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools list. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 30 degrees to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $14,462 for history students.

Read more about History at SIUE

12

Northern Illinois University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 51 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Illinois University is $13,956 for History students.

Read full report on History at Northern Illinois University

13
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 39 diplomas to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,007 for History students per year to attend Central Michigan.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan History Report

14

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools ranking. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 41 degrees to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,051 for history students per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.

Read full report on History at UW - Eau Claire

15
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value History Schools list. WCU is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,924 for history students per year to attend Western Carolina University.

Read more about History at Western Carolina University

16

University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools ranking, coming in at #16. UNK is a public institution located in Kearney, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNK is $17,099 for History students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UNK History Report

17

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools ranking, coming in at #17. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 118 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend USF Tampa is $8,346 for History students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at University of South Florida - Main Campus

18
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools ranking. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 34 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $16,438 for History students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on History at UNI

19

With a ranking of #19, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools list. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large public school situated in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It awarded 43 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,417 for History students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Read full report on History at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

20

With a ranking of #20, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools list. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 191 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UNT is $14,122 for History students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about History at UNT

21

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value History Schools list. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,654 for history students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about History at UW - La Crosse

22
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value History Schools list. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 107 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Illinois State is also in the top of our “Best History Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $20,830 for history students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at Illinois State University

23
SUNY Cortland crest
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, New York

With a ranking of #23, SUNY Cortland did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools list. SUNY Cortland is a medium-sized public school situated in Cortland, New York. It awarded 68 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SUNY Cortland is $19,273 for History students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about History at SUNY Cortland

24

With a ranking of #24, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools list. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State excels when it comes to history quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best History Schools” list. It costs about $16,002 for history students per year to attend Iowa State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full Iowa State History Report

25
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #25, Liberty University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools list. Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 364 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Liberty University is $29,382 for History students.

Read more about History at Liberty University

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value History Schools

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
29
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming
30
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona
31
32
33
Ship crest
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
34
35
36
36
38
Salisbury crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, Maryland
39
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
40
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
41
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
42
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas
43
44
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
45
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
46
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, New York
47
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri
48
49
UNA crest
University of North Alabama
Florence, Alabama
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value History Schools

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
51 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
53 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
54 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
55 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
56 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
57 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT

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Notes and References

References

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