2027 Best Value History Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[History Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/history-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong history education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for history education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value History Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value History Education Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in history education in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. History Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. History Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,732 early in their careers. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $27,194. History Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. Set against $27,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Ferris State University one of the best values for history education. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. History Education graduates carry a median of $29,076 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $54,608. That is a strong return on a $29,076 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #4 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the best values for history education. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. History Education graduates carry a median of $21,182 in student loans. History Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $51,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Saginaw Valley State University one of the best values for history education. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. History Education graduates carry a median of $28,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #6 position for value in history education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $25,250. Early-career history education graduates make about $49,254. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Northern Michigan University earned the #7 position for value in history education this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Youngstown State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value history education schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Albion College earned the #9 position for value in history education this year. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. In-state tuition and fees average $56,950. Students borrow a median of $26,047 to complete the history education program here. Early-career history education graduates make about $40,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #10 for value in history education this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the history education program here. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University landed the #11 spot for history education value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $52,168. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University placed #12 among the best values for history education. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $46,732 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Trinity Christian College landed the #13 spot for history education value this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,605. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $27,000. History Education graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $44,538 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Michigan State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value history education schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. History Education graduates carry a median of $27,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $60,244. Set against $27,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Spring Arbor University placed #15 among the best values for history education. Located in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,014. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $28,360. History Education graduates of Spring Arbor University earn a median of $53,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University placed #16 among the best values for history education. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois placed #17 among the best values for history education. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $27,000. Early-career history education graduates make about $45,145. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Calvin College landed the #18 spot for history education value this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $26,022. History Education graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $42,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,022 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Elmhurst College earned the #19 position for value in history education this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Mckendree University earned the #20 position for value in history education this year. Located in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,740. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of $51,068 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for history education. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Adrian College came in at #22 for value in history education this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,684. Students borrow a median of $30,994 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Set against $30,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Norbert College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value history education schools. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,580. Students borrow a median of $24,889 to complete the history education program here. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Saint Norbert College generally make around $48,421. Set against $24,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College landed the #24 spot for history education value this year. Set in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $27,000. Early-career history education graduates make about $45,137. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value history education schools. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,832 in tuition and fees. History Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. History Education graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $46,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value History Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for history education this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 27 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.
