[History](/majors/history/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1480 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for history students.
Where you study history affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value History Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value History Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among history schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #2 place for history. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. History graduates carry a median of $12,648 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for history. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $28,790. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #4. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. History graduates carry a median of $15,090 in student loans. History graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $43,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $27,769. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton landed the #6 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,524. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $31,994. That is a strong return on a $14,524 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida earned the #7 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $19,022 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $27,360. Set against $19,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus placed #8 among the best values for history. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. History graduates carry a median of $11,656 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $32,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Moorpark College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Cuny City College landed the #10 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $11,487 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,290. That is a strong return on a $11,487 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #11 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,635. History graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $27,975 early in their careers. Set against $14,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #12 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,721. History graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $39,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #13 for value in history this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #14 position for value in history this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. History graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for history graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #16 spot for history value this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $8,098. Early-career history graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge earned the #17 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,000. History graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $37,031 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Saddleback College placed #18 among the best values for history. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. History graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. History graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno landed the #19 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $20,127 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $21,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
College Of The Canyons landed the #20 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $13,141 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $24,077. Set against $13,141 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Grossmont College came in at #22 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
San Diego Mesa College placed #23 among the best values for history. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for history graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College came in at #24 for value in history this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the history program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #25 position for value in history this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value History Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for history this year:
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 · 1480 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 381 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).
[History](/majors/history/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
