Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

History

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for History

257 Ranked Colleges
3,202 Degrees Awarded
$13,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value History Schools for a Master's

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 32,905 people earned their degree in history, making the major the 30th most popular in the United States. 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.

This year’s “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s” ranking looked at 257 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value History Schools for a Master’s

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value History Schools for a Master’s.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for History

#1

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Public University System. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s. American Public University System is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 181 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, American Military University also did well 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 American Public University System are $7,050, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at American Public University System

#2

Ashland University

Ashland, Ohio

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ashland University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Ashland is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Ashland, Ohio. It awarded 59 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Ashland 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ashland are $6,444.

Full Ashland History Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Arizona State University - Skysong. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s. Arizona State University - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 76 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Skysong are $6,724, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at ASU - Skysong

#4

Providence College

Providence, Rhode Island
Top 20% in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Providence College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Providence is located in Providence, Rhode Island and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Providence also did well on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. 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 Providence College are $9,750, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at Providence College

#5

Westfield State University

Westfield, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Westfield State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Westfield State University is a medium-sized school located in Westfield, Massachusetts that handed out 6 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Westfield are $6,696, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at Westfield State University

#6

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #6. Illinois State is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069.

Full Illinois State History Report

University of Nebraska at Kearney landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a medium-sized school located in Kearney, Nebraska that handed out 38 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 University of Nebraska at Kearney are $14,792.

Full University of Nebraska at Kearney History Report

#8

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #8. This medium-sized school is located in Salem, Massachusetts, and it awarded 12 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 Salem State are $10,477.

Read full report on History at Salem State University

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #9. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 3 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#10

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at NIU

#11

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. This large school is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it awarded 122 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 Liberty University are $8,349.

Read full report on History at Liberty University

#12

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #12. This medium-sized school is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 16 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SRU are $17,652, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SRU History Report

#13

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

With a ranking of #13, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Texas Tech is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 9 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at Texas Tech

#14

Norwich University

Northfield, Vermont

Norwich University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. Northfield, Vermont is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s history degrees to 69 students in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Norwich also did well on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Norwich are $20,264, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at Norwich University

#15

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania

Villanova University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Villanova University is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree history students list, Villanova has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Villanova University are $20,719, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at Villanova

#16

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, this medium-sized public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $12,637, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at USD

With a ranking of #17, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Missouri State University - Springfield

#18

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Top 15% in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Marquette University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s history degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Marquette excels when it comes to history quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette are $21,690, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at Marquette

#19

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts

Simmons University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. Simmons University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, Simmons is in the top 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 Simmons are $21,698, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at Simmons

#20

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

With a ranking of #20, University of Southern Mississippi did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Hattiesburg, Mississippi is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Miss are $10,896, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at Southern Miss

#21

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. UW - Eau Claire is a public institution located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Eau Claire are $19,430, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at UW - Eau Claire

#22

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

University of North Texas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at UNT

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #23. SIUE is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 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 SIUE are $9,300.

Read more about History at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 7 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also took the #21 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 University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about History at UW - Madison

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. BGSU is located in Bowling Green, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823.

Full BGSU History Report

Rest of the Best 39 in Best Value History Schools for a Master’s

Not only did these schools make the top 39 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#27

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#27

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#29

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#30

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#33

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#36

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#38

Clemson University

Clemson, South 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.

Featured History Schools

Find Schools Near You