[History](/majors/history/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1480 schools to find the best return on investment for history students.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value history schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,691. Early-career history graduates make about $61,459. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #2 place for history. 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 history program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. History graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $28,790. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $13,000. Early-career history graduates make about $27,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for history. 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. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,090. History graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $43,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,090 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,524. History graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $27,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,524 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #7 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. History graduates carry a median of $19,022 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $27,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus placed #8 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $11,656 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $32,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cuny City College earned the #9 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,487. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,290. Set against $11,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #10 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,635. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $27,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #11 for value in history this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Northridge came in at #12 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $37,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #13 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $26,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,127. History graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $21,642 early in their careers. Set against $20,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #15 for value in history this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. History graduates carry a median of $13,141 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $24,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #16 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for history graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $18,674. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $45,363. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University placed #18 among the best values for history. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $18,075 in student loans. History graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $24,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University came in at #19 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Texas A And M International University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $18,107 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $29,180. Set against $18,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #21 position for value in history this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $25,014. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #23 for value in history this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for history graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, 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.
California State University Sacramento came in at #24 for value in history this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,000. History graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $32,596 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Morris landed the #25 spot for history value this year. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $14,526 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $21,080 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $44,479. Set against $21,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value History Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s history value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1480 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 378 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
