by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 83 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for history students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Moorpark College tops our 2027 list of the best value history schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,075. Early-career history graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Modesto Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #2 spot this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $8,575. Early-career history graduates make about $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
A rank of #4 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the best values for history. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santiago Canyon College earned it the #5 place for history. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College placed #6 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Austin Community College District placed #7 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,230. History graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons earned the #8 position for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. 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. History graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College earned the #9 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,196. Early-career history graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. History graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Saddleback College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. 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.
Cypress College came in at #12 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Oxnard College came in at #13 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #14 spot for history value this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for history graduates is $6,672. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #16 for value in history this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #18 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. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College earned the #19 position for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College landed the #20 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Golden West College earned the #21 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #22 among the best values for history. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #23 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. History graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Clovis Community College Fresno came in at #24 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #25 spot for history value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. History graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for history this year:
Explore the best-value history schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 83 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.