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2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

283 Ranked Colleges
3,202 Degrees Awarded
$44,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value History Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

History is the 30th most popular major in the country with 32,905 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, history graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,593 and had an average of $23,490 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 3,202 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 283 colleges that offer a degree in history. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality history programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the history program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank History Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree history students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for History (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 283 schools in the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #1 spot on the list. Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 60 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Yale, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale University are $44,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Yale History Report

#2

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Duke University History Report

#3

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. UPenn is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn also made our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UPenn History Report

#4

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Harvard is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

Harvard not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654.

Read more about History at Harvard University

#5

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Princeton University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. This medium-sized school is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and it awarded 29 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470.

Read more about History at Princeton University

#6

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#11 in overall quality

Stanford University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 6 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree history students whose families make $0-$30k list, Stanford has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford University History Report

#7

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

Northwestern University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at Northwestern University

#8

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Brown University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Brown is a medium-sized school located in Providence, Rhode Island that handed out 4 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown also made our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Brown University

#9

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

University of Chicago ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UChicago History Report

#10

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#8 in overall quality

Georgetown University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Georgetown is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 20 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgetown also took the #8 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown University are $53,591, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Georgetown History Report

#11

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#14 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 4 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also took the #14 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624.

Read more about History at Vanderbilt

#12

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#18 in overall quality

Rice University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Rice is a medium-sized school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 3 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rice, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Rice University

#13

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#19 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree history students whose families make $0-$30k list, U-M has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Read more about History at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#14

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. UF is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 3 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130.

Full UF History Report

#15

Queens College

Queens, New York

Queens College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. QC is a public institution located in Queens, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Queens College are $21,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Queens College History Report

#16

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 14 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree history students whose families make $0-$30k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Notre Dame History Report

#17

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#17 in overall quality

Cornell University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cornell University is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 5 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at Cornell University

#18

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 15% in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 10 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill excels when it comes to history quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read more about History at UNC Chapel Hill

#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 7 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Full UW - Madison History Report

#20

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts
#15 in overall quality

Tufts University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Medford, Massachusetts, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

Tufts also took the #15 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Tufts University are $55,168, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at Tufts University

#21

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
Top 15% in overall quality

University of Maryland - College Park ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. College Park, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UMCP is also in the top of our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Maryland - College Park History Report

#22

Hunter College

New York, New York

Hunter College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Hunter College is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Hunter are $20,828.

Read more about History at Hunter

Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 3 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UIUC is also in the top of our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Top 15% in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also claimed a top spot on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at UW Seattle

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s history degrees to 59 students in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Columbia History Report

Rest of the Best 43 in Best Value History Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 43 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#27

The City College of New York

New York, New York
#29

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#31

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#34

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York
#35

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#36

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida
#40

Lehman College

Bronx, New York
#41

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#42

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida
#43

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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