2026 Best Value History Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value History Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in history in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. History graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $26,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $23,892 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $33,297. That is a strong return on a $23,892 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #3 place for history. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $33,288. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for history. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for history graduates is $31,250. History graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $47,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for history. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $26,436. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #6 among the best values for history. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $26,916 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $32,149 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #8 position for value in history this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $30,101 early in their careers. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Chicago placed #9 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $46,616. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University landed the #10 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,838. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Illinois College earned the #11 position for value in history this year. Located in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,676. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,922. History graduates of Illinois College earn a median of $41,184 early in their careers. Set against $26,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois College admits about 78% of applicants.
Aurora University landed the #12 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $40,465. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Elmhurst College earned the #14 position for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. History graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
North Central College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,726. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $46,247. That is a strong return on a $25,699 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #16 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. History graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwestern University came in at #17 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,917. Early-career history graduates make about $50,161. That is a strong return on a $15,917 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Lake Forest College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,661. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $41,168. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. Lake Forest College admits about 57% of applicants.
Depaul University came in at #19 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $36,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $31,079. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Notes and References
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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[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.
