by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value history schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Indiana University Southeast tops our 2026 list of the best value history schools in Indiana. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $43,463. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $51,424. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #3. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $31,526. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $49,424. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at University Of Southern Indiana, which ranked #5. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,629 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $40,692. Set against $21,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,980. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $22,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #7 among the best values for history. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $23,754 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $31,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ball State University came in at #8 for value in history this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,750. History graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $28,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Wabash College placed #9 among the best values for history. Set in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Wabash College earn a median of $39,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #10 for value in history this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,000. Early-career history graduates make about $39,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.