2026 Best Value History Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value History Schools
Our analysis ranked Old Dominion University the best value for a degree in history in Virginia. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $36,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
George Mason University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #2 spot this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,625. Early-career history graduates make about $38,921. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Military Institute earned it the #3 place for history. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $42,543. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia State University earned it the #4 place for history. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,043, while out-of-state students pay about $22,650. Students borrow a median of $29,010 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $40,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Mary Baldwin College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,187 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $29,562. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $60,386. Set against $29,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise landed the #6 spot for history value this year. Set in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,780, compared with $28,010 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from The University Of Virginias College At Wise generally make around $43,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Virginias College At Wise admits about 28% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #7 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. History graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $29,794 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Regent University placed #8 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $50,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Bridgewater College landed the #9 spot for history value this year. Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Students from in state pay about $16,090 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $32,771. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater College admits about 92% of applicants.
James Madison University placed #10 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $29,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Washington earned the #11 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. History graduates carry a median of $23,018 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $31,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Longwood University earned the #12 position for value in history this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,740 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. History graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $37,404. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Christopher Newport University landed the #13 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $29,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary placed #14 among the best values for history. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $31,595. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #15 for value in history this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $19,352 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $34,028. That is a strong return on a $19,352 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #16 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,499. Early-career history graduates make about $33,319. That is a strong return on a $20,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Washington And Lee University landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,045. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,074. History graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. Set against $20,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.
Hampden Sydney College landed the #18 spot for history value this year. Set in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,550 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. History graduates of Hampden Sydney College earn a median of $42,949 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hampden Sydney College admits about 41% of applicants.
Roanoke College landed the #19 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,068. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Roanoke College generally make around $25,940. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University landed the #20 spot for history value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $39,823. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
