2026 Best Value History Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value History Schools
For return on investment in history, no school beat Brigham Young University Idaho this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
College Of Western Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $12,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #3 spot this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for history graduates is $16,478. Early-career history graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,750. History graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #5 place for history. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,209. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $35,450. Set against $18,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. History graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. History graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $28,277 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Utah State University placed #8 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. History graduates carry a median of $25,237 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $31,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #9 among the best values for history. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,000. Early-career history graduates make about $32,603. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #10 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,000. History graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $38,643 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Idaho ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $27,965 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #12 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $34,125 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $42,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #13 among the best values for history. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Students borrow a median of $18,666 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #14 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $38,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College came in at #15 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,310. Early-career history graduates make about $43,617. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana placed #16 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,500. Early-career history graduates make about $28,508. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #17 for value in history this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. History graduates carry a median of $23,804 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $35,403. Set against $23,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $30,793. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. Set against $30,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #19 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $38,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #20 among the best values for history. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. History graduates carry a median of $24,152 in student loans. History graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $39,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University came in at #21 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. History graduates carry a median of $28,050 in student loans. History graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $34,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,050 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Idaho placed #22 among the best values for history. Set in the suburb of Caldwell, The College Of Idaho is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,845 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,789. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from The College Of Idaho generally make around $30,968. Set against $23,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of Idaho admits about 49% of applicants.
Montana State University landed the #23 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $29,692. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #24 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,905. History graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $37,044 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,905 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,734. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,921. History graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value History Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in history:
Narrow History Schools by State
Notes and References
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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
