2026 Best Value History Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value History Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value history schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $19,022 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $27,360. Set against $19,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. History graduates carry a median of $18,075 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $24,639. That is a strong return on a $18,075 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. History graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $31,835. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #4 place for history. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,313 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $27,340. That is a strong return on a $17,313 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State University one of the best values for history. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $19,907 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $27,944. That is a strong return on a $19,907 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $23,015 in student loans. History graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $33,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,015 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #7 among the best values for history. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,838. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $34,592. Set against $14,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #8 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. History graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. History graduates carry a median of $21,965 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $34,335 early in their careers. Set against $21,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Louisiana State University Shreveport ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. History graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. History graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of North Georgia placed #11 among the best values for history. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,312. Early-career history graduates make about $38,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #12 for value in history this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $25,689. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Murray State University placed #13 among the best values for history. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $27,831. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University landed the #14 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,869. Early-career history graduates make about $41,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Dalton State College landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,955. History graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $32,899 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,955 median debt.
Louisiana Tech University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $49,261 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
American Public University System earned the #17 position for value in history this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $49,776. Set against $23,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #18 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $30,375 in student loans. History graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $29,619 early in their careers. Set against $30,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University came in at #19 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,965 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $27,177. That is a strong return on a $22,965 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #20 position for value in history this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $27,241. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #21 for value in history this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. History graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. History graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $27,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. History graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $26,983. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. History graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #24 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,240 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $50,726. That is a strong return on a $21,240 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in history this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,700 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value History Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for history this year:
Narrow History Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 338 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 92 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
