2026 Best Value History Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value History Schools
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Morris, our #1 best value for history in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,080 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $44,479. That is a strong return on a $21,080 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. History graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $25,010. That is a strong return on a $21,125 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Missouri University Of Science And Technology, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $25,187. History graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $74,532 early in their careers. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. History graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $36,401 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grinnell College earned it the #5 place for history. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $39,687. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University earned the #6 position for value in history this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. History graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $49,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #7 among the best values for history. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for history graduates is $28,738. Early-career history graduates make about $35,937. Set against $28,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #8 among the best values for history. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $25,445 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $24,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #9 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. History graduates carry a median of $21,776 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $27,569 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,289. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. That is a strong return on a $23,289 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #11 for value in history this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,016. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Park University landed the #12 spot for history value this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. History graduates carry a median of $22,112 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $52,616. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt.
Washburn University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,175. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #14 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $26,635. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,250. History graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $39,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #16 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. History graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $33,013. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Kansas landed the #17 spot for history value this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $42,451 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Kansas State University placed #18 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $19,539 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $33,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Iowa State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $26,007 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $41,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. History graduates carry a median of $26,743 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $42,297 early in their careers. Set against $26,743 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #22 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $27,941 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University placed #23 among the best values for history. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. History graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. History graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $33,135 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University earned the #24 position for value in history this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Students borrow a median of $22,669 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #25 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $39,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value History Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s history value ranking:
Narrow History Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 158 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong history education at a price that pays off.
