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2022 Best Value Colleges for History (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

22 Ranked Colleges
942 Degrees Awarded
$14,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

Across Illinois, there were 942 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,667 and $22,107 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 22 colleges that offered 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for History (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 57 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best History Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $3,995 for Illinois History students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 98 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best History Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $2,800 for Illinois History students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Chicago.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Chicago History Report

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 105 degrees to qualified ’s history students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best History Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,464 for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIS, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best History Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $8,323 for Illinois History students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UIS History Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 52 ’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best History Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $9,938 for Illinois History students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about History at SIUE

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 36 ’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best History Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,185 for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at University of Illinois at Chicago

#7

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Eastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Charleston, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best History Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $11,316 for Illinois History students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend EIU.

Read more about History at EIU

#8

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 108 ’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best History Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $14,999 for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois State History Report

#9

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 47 ’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also made our “Best History Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for NIU is $15,861 for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northern Illinois University History Report

#10

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Knox College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Knox College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Galesburg, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k list, Knox has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best History Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Knox College is $19,186 for Illinois History students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about History at Knox

#11

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Aurora, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s history degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

Aurora also took the #11 spot in our “Best History Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Aurora University is $13,845 for Illinois History students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on History at Aurora University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. SIUC is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 26 ’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #17 spot in our “Best History Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,306 for Illinois History students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Read more about History at SIUC

#13

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 15 ’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best History Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,526 for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Western Illinois University.

Full WIU History Report

#14

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

Illinois College also made our “Best History Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $12,454 for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois College.

Full Illinois College History Report

#15

Monmouth College

Monmouth, Illinois

Monmouth College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Monmouth, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s history degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Monmouth, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best History Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Monmouth is $14,337 for Illinois History students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on History at Monmouth College

#16

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is located in Wheaton, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

Wheaton College Illinois also made our “Best History Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $16,212 for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about History at Wheaton College Illinois

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 36 diplomas to qualified ’s history students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northeastern Illinois University has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best History Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $15,513 for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on History at Northeastern Illinois University

#18

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and it awarded 14 ’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Elmhurst, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best History Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,837 for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Elmhurst.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Elmhurst History Report

#19

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Naperville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s history students in 2019-2020.

North Central not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best History Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $20,128 for Illinois History students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Central College.

The low student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on History at North Central College

#20

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Roosevelt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Roosevelt University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 8 ’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roosevelt, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best History Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Roosevelt is $20,330 for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on History at Roosevelt University

#21

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s history degrees to 73 students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also took the #6 spot in our “Best History Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Chicago is $29,788 for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Loyola Chicago History Report

#22

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. DePaul University is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 25 ’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul also made our “Best History Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $25,842 for illinois history students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend DePaul University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on History at DePaul

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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