2026 Best Value History Education Schools in Michigan

[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for history education students.
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2026 Best Value History Education Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value History Education Schools
Leading the list is Ferris State University, our #1 best value for history education in Michigan. 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. Students borrow a median of $29,076 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $54,608 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,076 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. 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, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,550 to complete the history education program here. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. Set against $28,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Michigan University earned it the #3 place for history education. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $29,000. Early-career history education graduates make about $52,168. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Albion College earned it the #4 place for history education. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $26,047. 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.
Eastern Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the history education program here. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University placed #6 among the best values for history education. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history education program here. Early-career history education graduates make about $48,767. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Western Michigan University landed the #7 spot for history education value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the history education program here. Early-career history education graduates make about $48,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Michigan State University placed #8 among the best values for history education. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,437 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Spring Arbor University placed #9 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. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $53,080. Set against $28,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Adrian College came in at #10 for value in history education this year. Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,684. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $30,994. History Education graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,994 median debt. Adrian College admits about 72% of applicants.
Cornerstone University earned the #11 position for value in history education this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $29,000. Early-career history education graduates make about $44,501. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College earned the #12 position for value in history education this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. History Education graduates carry a median of $26,022 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $42,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Hope College placed #13 among the best values for history education. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,484. History Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $45,137. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.