2026 Best Value History Schools in the Southwest Region
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 Texas A And M International University the best value for a degree in history in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. History graduates carry a median of $18,107 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $29,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #2 place for history. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. History graduates carry a median of $15,230 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $15,230 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #3 place for history. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. History graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. History graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #4 place for history. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Oklahoma City Community College one of the best values for history. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $13,919 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $18,125 to complete the history program here. History graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,081 early in their careers. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Houston Community College placed #7 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,223. History graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central University landed the #8 spot for history value this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,267 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $31,159. Set against $19,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
Rice University placed #9 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,026. Early-career history graduates make about $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. History graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $57,239. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Lone Star College System came in at #12 for value in history this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #13 among the best values for history. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,562 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $33,264. Set against $22,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $30,230. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Lamar University earned the #16 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas Womans University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for history graduates is $25,088. History graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #18 position for value in history this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,796. Early-career history graduates make about $24,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Northeastern State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,165. History graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $49,353 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,165 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Midwestern State University came in at #20 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for history graduates is $30,500. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,250. Early-career history graduates make about $39,240. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University came in at #22 for value in history this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,344 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $34,519 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #23 for value in history this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $33,392 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $28,513 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $46,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. History graduates carry a median of $22,680 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $36,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value History Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in history:
Narrow History Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 141 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong history education at a price that pays off.
