2021 Best Value Colleges for History
Finding the Best Value History School for You
In 2018-2019, 25,943 people earned their bachelor's in history, making the major the #21 most popular in the United States.
This year's Best Value Colleges for History ranking analyzed 306 colleges that offered a bachelor's degree in history. To us, 'best value' doesn't just mean the school with the lowest overall costs. Instead, we are looking at those history schools that offer a high quality educational experience at a price lower than expected.
To determine the average cost, we look at total expenses - such as tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other related expenses - and then subtract the average financial award a student receives. Knowing this amount can help you determine how much you may have to borrow in loans or take out of savings. Keep in mind that the net cost for you may be higher or lower, depending on your income and other factors.
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More Ways to Rank History Schools
The history school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Value History Schools.
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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
2021 Best Value History Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Best History Colleges for the Money.
Top 25 Best Value History Schools
The #1 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Wabash College. Located in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population. On top of its placing in our value rankings, Wabash also did well on our Best Colleges for History list. It's in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.
The average student at Wabash graduates in less than 4.1 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $29,099. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Wabash is $118,433. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
History majors at Wabash take out an average of $27,281 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $280.
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The #2 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Brigham Young University - Provo. BYU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Provo.
The average student at BYU graduates in less than 5.2 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $12,239. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the BYU is $64,132. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
History majors at BYU take out an average of $16,520 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $161, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Our rankings recognize Florida State University as the #3 school in this year's rankings. Located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public college with a fairly large student population. In addition to its great value ranking, Florida State is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Colleges for History list.
It takes about 4.2 years for the average student at Florida State to complete their degree, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $27,233. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from Florida State be around $115,196. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
The average amount in student loans that history majors at Florida State take out while working on their bachelor's is $22,058. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $231, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #4 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value history schools. USF Tampa is a fairly large public school located in the city of Tampa.
It takes the average student at USF Tampa about 4.3 years to graduate, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $23,095. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from USF Tampa is $99,308. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
After completing their bachelor's degree, history graduates from USF Tampa carry an average student debtload of $20,530. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $199, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Florida earned the #5 spot in our 2021 rankings. U of F is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Gainesville. U of F also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for History list. It's in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at U of F is 4.3 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $28,230. This means that the average student pays around $120,542 to get a bachelor’s degree from U of F. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
After completing their bachelor's degree, history graduates from U of F carry an average student debtload of $16,831. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $156.
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University of Nebraska at Kearney comes in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in the town of Kearney, UNK is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at UNK is 4.5 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $20,217. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from UNK is $91,987. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
After completing their bachelor's degree, history graduates from UNK carry an average student debtload of $21,288. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $208, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Texas Tech University landed the #7 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value history schools. Texas Tech is a fairly large public school located in the city of Lubbock.
It takes about 4.5 years for the average student at Texas Tech to complete their degree, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $23,296. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech is about $105,298. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
While working on their bachelor's, history majors at Texas Tech accumulate an average of around $23,210 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $241.
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Our rankings recognize Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania as the #8 school in this year's rankings. SRU is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock.
The average student at SRU graduates in less than 4.3 years, and it costs about $21,713 per year to attend the school. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from SRU is $93,149. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
After completing their bachelor's degree, history graduates from SRU carry an average student debtload of $22,280. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $265.
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The #9 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. UNC Chapel Hill also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for History list. It's in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at UNC Chapel Hill is 4.1 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $26,820. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill be around $109,694. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
On average, history graduates from UNC Chapel Hill take out $15,615 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $155.
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University of Wyoming earned the #10 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the remote town of Laramie, U of Wyoming is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at U of Wyoming is 4.6 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $20,323. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from U of Wyoming be around $94,299. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
After completing their bachelor's degree, history graduates from U of Wyoming carry an average student debtload of $18,545. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $189, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Our rankings recognize Truman State University as the #11 school in this year's rankings. Truman State is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Truman State is 4.2 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $18,927. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Truman State is $80,250. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
The average amount in student loans that history majors at Truman State take out while working on their bachelor's is $19,452. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $221, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Our rankings recognize Northern Illinois University as the #12 school in this year's rankings. Located in the small suburb of Dekalb, NIU is a public college with a large student population.
It takes about 4.6 years for the average student at NIU to complete their degree, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $20,171. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the NIU is $92,181. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
After completing their bachelor's degree, history graduates from NIU carry an average student debtload of $24,717. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $257.
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North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #13 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value history schools. Located in the midsize city of Fargo, North Dakota State University is a public college with a large student population.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at North Dakota State University is 4.5 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $21,224. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University is $96,145. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
History majors at North Dakota State University take out an average of $24,302 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree.
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University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #14 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value history schools. Located in the distant town of Whitewater, UW - Whitewater is a public college with a large student population.
It takes about 4.5 years for the average student at UW - Whitewater to complete their degree, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $20,164. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from UW - Whitewater is about $91,343. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
After completing their bachelor's degree, history graduates from UW - Whitewater carry an average student debtload of $25,168. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $275.
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The #15 spot in this year's ranking belongs to South Dakota State University. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school located in the town of Brookings.
The average student at South Dakota State graduates in less than 4.4 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $20,370. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State is $89,628. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
After completing their bachelor's degree, history graduates from South Dakota State carry an average student debtload of $25,757. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $280.
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Illinois State University landed the #16 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value history schools. Located in the midsize suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public college with a fairly large student population.
It takes about 4.4 years for the average student at Illinois State to complete their degree, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $24,958. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Illinois State is $108,817. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
History majors at Illinois State take out an average of $22,738 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $234.
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University of North Carolina at Greensboro comes in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in the large city of Greensboro, UNC Greensboro is a public school with a very large student population.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at UNC Greensboro is 4.5 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $22,093. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the UNC Greensboro is $98,756. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
History majors at UNC Greensboro take out an average of $20,447 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $219.
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The #18 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University at Albany. UAlbany is a fairly large public school located in the city of Albany. On top of its placing in our value rankings, UAlbany also did well on our Best Colleges for History list. It's in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.
The average student at UAlbany graduates in less than 4.2 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $30,041. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from UAlbany is about $124,971. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
History majors at UAlbany take out an average of $19,551 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $202.
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University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #19 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value history schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, UW - La Crosse is a public school with a large student population.
At UW - La Crosse, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.5 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $19,185. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from UW - La Crosse is $85,373. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
The average amount in student loans that history majors at UW - La Crosse take out while working on their bachelor's is $21,561. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $230, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Randolph - Macon College comes in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph - Macon is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
At Randolph - Macon, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.1 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $30,683. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from Randolph - Macon be around $124,880. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
History majors at Randolph - Macon take out an average of $20,804 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $259.
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Iowa State University comes in at #21 in this year's ranking. Iowa State is a very large public school located in the small city of Ames.
At Iowa State, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.4 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $26,749. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State is $118,231. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
After completing their bachelor's degree, history graduates from Iowa State carry an average student debtload of $23,906. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $256, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Northern Iowa comes in at #22 in this year's ranking. UNI is a fairly large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls.
It takes about 4.4 years for the average student at UNI to complete their degree, and it costs about $24,198 per year to attend the school. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from UNI is $107,439. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
The average amount in student loans that history majors at UNI take out while working on their bachelor's is $23,264. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $231, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Our rankings recognize University of North Texas as the #23 school in this year's rankings. Located in the medium-sized city of Denton, UNT is a public college with a very large student population.
At UNT, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.5 years, and it costs about $24,179 per year to attend the school. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from UNT is $109,773. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
After completing their bachelor's degree, history graduates from UNT carry an average student debtload of $20,612. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $209.
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The #24 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of Houston. U of H is a very large public school located in the city of Houston.
At U of H, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.6 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $25,217. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from U of H is $116,503. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
After completing their bachelor's degree, history graduates from U of H carry an average student debtload of $20,115. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $202.
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The #25 spot in this year's ranking belongs to SUNY Cortland. Located in the distant town of Cortland, SUNY Cortland is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at SUNY Cortland is 4.3 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $25,238. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the SUNY Cortland is $108,019. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
History majors at SUNY Cortland take out an average of $21,017 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $228.
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Honorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Colleges for History award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | California State University - Long Beach | Long Beach, CA |
| 47 | University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, MA |
| 48 | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, NC |
| 49 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI |
| 50 | University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA |
| 51 | Gustavus Adolphus College | Saint Peter, MN |
| 52 | Indiana University - Bloomington | Bloomington, IN |
| 53 | Bridgewater State University | Bridgewater, MA |
| 54 | SUNY New Paltz | New Paltz, NY |
| 55 | University of Oklahoma Norman Campus | Norman, OK |
| 56 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | West Chester, PA |
| 57 | Worcester State University | Worcester, MA |
| 58 | CUNY Queens College | Queens, NY |
| 59 | Arizona State University - Tempe | Tempe, AZ |
| 60 | Bridgewater College | Bridgewater, VA |
| 61 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | Baton Rouge, LA |
History by Region
View the Best Value Colleges for History for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
Rankings in Majors Related to History
One of 0 majors within the History area of study, History has other similar majors worth exploring.
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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.
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