by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong history education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 87 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for history students.
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.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for history in New York. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. History graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $28,790. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for history. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. 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. Early-career history graduates make about $61,459. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for history. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $13,000. History graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,769 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $11,487 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $30,290. That is a strong return on a $11,487 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,678. History graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #8 position for value in history this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $18,674. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #9 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for history graduates is $16,800. History graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $33,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #10 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #11 among the best values for history. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Empire State College earned the #12 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,992 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $58,140. Set against $30,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stony Brook University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. History graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $36,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo placed #14 among the best values for history. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $28,664. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #15 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. History graduates carry a median of $25,394 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $35,822. That is a strong return on a $25,394 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #16 for value in history this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $23,439 in student loans. History graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $28,400 early in their careers. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Students borrow a median of $25,446 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $22,976. That is a strong return on a $25,446 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny At Albany landed the #18 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,034. History graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $32,174 early in their careers. Set against $23,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Saint Josephs College New York placed #19 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,550 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $24,717 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $49,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Suny College At Oneonta placed #20 among the best values for history. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. History graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. History graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $36,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #21 among the best values for history. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,303. Early-career history graduates make about $20,124. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #22 position for value in history this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $28,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #23 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $53,828. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. History graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo placed #25 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,392. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $28,857. Set against $23,392 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in history:
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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.