2026 Best Value History Education Master’s Degree Schools
[History Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/history-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 213 schools to find the best return on investment for history education students.
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2026 Best Value History Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value History Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Queens College the best value for a degree in history education in the United States. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the history education program here. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for history education. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in history education will find it at Cuny College Of Staten Island, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $14,688. History Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $76,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for history education. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $17,125. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $70,171. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Holy Family University came in at #6 for value in history education this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $26,562. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $63,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot for history education value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. History Education graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career history education graduates make about $49,254. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $9,117. History Education graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,153 early in their careers. Set against $9,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Rhode Island College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,659 to complete the history education program here. Early-career history education graduates make about $57,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #10 among the best values for history education. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. History Education graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. History Education graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $53,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University earned the #11 position for value in history education this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $22,009. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $53,132. That is a strong return on a $22,009 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Valley City State University earned the #12 position for value in history education this year. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Students borrow a median of $24,394 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $53,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,394 median debt. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Universidad Del Turabo earned the #13 position for value in history education this year. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $16,647. Early-career history education graduates make about $14,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. Set in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. History Education graduates carry a median of $7,869 in student loans. History Education graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earn a median of $17,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce admits about 34% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for history education value this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,485 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #16 for value in history education this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #17 position for value in history education this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. History Education graduates carry a median of $26,221 in student loans. Early-career history education graduates make about $42,939. Set against $26,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Appalachian State University earned the #18 position for value in history education this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,614 to complete the history education program here. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $47,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Central Michigan University came in at #19 for value in history education this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $29,000. Early-career history education graduates make about $60,340. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #20 among the best values for history education. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,182 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $49,416 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,182 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Salem State University came in at #21 for value in history education this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. History Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career history education graduates make about $59,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University landed the #22 spot for history education value this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University landed the #23 spot for history education value this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. History Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $57,928. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Northern State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $26,143. Early-career history education graduates make about $45,824. Set against $26,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #25 for value in history education 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. Early-career history education graduates make about $47,887. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value History Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for history education this year:
Other History Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value History Education rankings across degree levels:
View All History Education Rankings >
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 · 213 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.
