2026 Best Value Public/Applied History Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Public/Applied History](/majors/history/history/public-applied-history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 74 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public/applied history students.
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2026 Best Value Public/Applied History Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public/applied history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public/Applied History Schools
Leading the list is Cuny College Of Staten Island, our #1 best value for public/applied history in the United States. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $12,648. Soon after graduation, public/applied history degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. That is a strong return on a $12,648 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #2 place for public/applied history. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public/applied history degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $32,596. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public/applied history, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $13,141. Soon after graduation, public/applied history degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $24,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #4 place for public/applied history. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the public/applied history program here. Public/applied History graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny Empire State College earned it the #5 place for public/applied history. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $30,992 in student loans. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $58,140. Set against $30,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public/applied history schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,375 to complete the public/applied history program here. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $29,619. Set against $30,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rhode Island College came in at #7 for value in public/applied history this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $24,141 in student loans. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $45,088. Set against $24,141 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #8 for value in public/applied history this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Public/applied History graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $35,391 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Utah ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public/applied history schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Public/applied History graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $28,277 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #10 for value in public/applied history this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $23,289. Public/applied History graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University earned the #11 position for value in public/applied history this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $23,257. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $45,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #12 spot for public/applied history value this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $25,455 to complete the public/applied history program here. Public/applied History graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Nicholls State University landed the #13 spot for public/applied history value this year. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. Students from in state pay about $8,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,242. Students borrow a median of $28,512 to complete the public/applied history program here. Public/applied History graduates of Nicholls State University earn a median of $43,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University came in at #14 for value in public/applied history this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $32,544. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $41,874. That is a strong return on a $32,544 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in public/applied history this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $19,276. Public/applied History graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $27,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,276 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University placed #16 among the best values for public/applied history. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $27,799. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #17 position for value in public/applied history this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans. Public/applied History graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $33,251 early in their careers. Set against $19,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public/applied history schools. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for public/applied history graduates is $23,604. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $30,301. Set against $23,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among the best values for public/applied history. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public/applied History graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $27,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Central Michigan University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public/applied history schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $25,905 to complete the public/applied history program here. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $33,000. That is a strong return on a $25,905 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of West Georgia placed #21 among the best values for public/applied history. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $29,990 in student loans. Public/applied History graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $46,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,990 median debt. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University earned the #22 position for value in public/applied history this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,241 to complete the public/applied history program here. Early-career public/applied history graduates make about $45,531. That is a strong return on a $24,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Montana ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value public/applied history schools. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Public/applied History graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $28,508 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Suny At Albany came in at #24 for value in public/applied history this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $23,034 in student loans. Public/applied History graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #25 position for value in public/applied history this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Public/applied History graduates carry a median of $24,862 in student loans. Public/applied History graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $46,908 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,862 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Public/Applied History Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public/applied history this year:
Other Public/Applied History Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Public/Applied History rankings across degree levels:
View All Public/Applied History Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
