2027 Best Value History Schools in Pennsylvania
[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 30 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value history schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value History Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value History Schools
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2027 list of the best value history schools in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $33,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for history. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $32,976. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $27,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Lycoming College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Williamsport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,804. History graduates carry a median of $26,973 in student loans. History graduates of Lycoming College earn a median of $35,026 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $28,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for history value this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $40,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
York College Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in history this year. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,537. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $53,667. That is a strong return on a $26,537 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Swarthmore College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,500. Early-career history graduates make about $66,971. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $30,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for value in history this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. History graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,761 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Allegheny College placed #12 among the best values for history. Located in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,550. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Allegheny College generally make around $20,713. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Haverford College placed #13 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,570 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $34,460. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Saint Vincent College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,396. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $54,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Vincent College admits about 62% of applicants.
Washington And Jefferson College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,392. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. History graduates of Washington And Jefferson College earn a median of $38,980 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington And Jefferson College admits about 81% of applicants.
Wilkes University landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,496. History graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $64,004. Set against $26,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $59,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University landed the #19 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $33,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Susquehanna University earned the #20 position for value in history this year. Set in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Susquehanna University generally make around $39,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Muhlenberg College landed the #21 spot for history value this year. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. In-state tuition and fees average $62,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Muhlenberg College generally make around $35,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Muhlenberg College admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #22 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,400. History graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $29,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Gettysburg College placed #23 among the best values for history. Located in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,640 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Gettysburg College generally make around $28,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Bryn Mawr College came in at #24 for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,920. History graduates carry a median of $23,069 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $35,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Lafayette College placed #25 among the best values for history. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,648 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $16,931 in student loans. History graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $59,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,931 median debt. Lafayette College admits about 31% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value History Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s history value ranking:
View All History Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
