2026 Best Value History Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value History Schools
Texas A And M International University earned the #1 spot for value among history schools in Texas. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,107. History graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $29,180 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,107 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for history graduates is $6,868. Early-career history graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $15,230 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for history. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,125. History graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,081 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Houston Community College earned it the #5 place for history. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. 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. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Rice University landed the #6 spot for history value this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. History graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. 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. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #7 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,625. Early-career history graduates make about $57,239. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lone Star College System placed #8 among the best values for history. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical student debt for history graduates is $10,425. Early-career history graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Tyler Junior College came in at #9 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. History graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. 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 San Antonio earned the #10 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. History graduates carry a median of $22,562 in student loans. History graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $33,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #11 position for value in history this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the history program here. History graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $30,230 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas Womans University ranked #12 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $25,088 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,088 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University earned the #13 position for value in history this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Midwestern State University placed #14 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. History graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. History graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $24,801. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #16 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,250. History graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $39,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Angelo State University came in at #17 for value in history this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,344 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $34,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #18 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. History graduates carry a median of $22,680 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $36,568. Set against $22,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #19 for value in history this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,300 to complete the history program here. History graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $34,269 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #21 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. History graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $37,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #22 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the history program here. History graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $44,806 early in their careers. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #23 position for value in history this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $31,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #24 among the best values for history. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. History graduates carry a median of $23,973 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $40,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University landed the #25 spot for history value this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $40,377 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value History Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s history value ranking:
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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
