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2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

37 Ranked Colleges
349 Degrees Awarded
$20,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value History Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 3,735 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,343 and $24,004 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 349 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 37 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in history. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent history programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the history program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank History Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree history students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for History in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Ashland University

Ashland, Ohio

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ashland University landed the #1 spot on the list. Ashland University is located in Ashland, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 59 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

Ashland also made our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ashland are $6,444, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at Ashland University

#2

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree history students list, Illinois State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. 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 University History Report

#3

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #3 spot on the list. NIU is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 5 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #22 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read full report on History at Northern Illinois University

#4

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Marquette University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Marquette is a private not-for-profit institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Marquette also took the #6 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette are $21,690, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at Marquette University

#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree history students list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Eau Claire are $19,430.

Read full report on History at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. 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 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300.

Read full report on History at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#5 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 7 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at UW - Madison

#20 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 14 degrees to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

BGSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at BGSU are $15,823, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at BGSU

#9

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Central Michigan University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Central Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 8 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Central Michigan History Report

#10

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also made our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Loyola University Chicago

#9 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 8 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at UC

#12

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Indiana State University is a fairly large school located in Terre Haute, Indiana that handed out 6 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at Indiana State

#24 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. OHIO Athens is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

OHIO Athens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at OHIO Athens

#14

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#17 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 14 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM also took the #17 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#15

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #15. University of Illinois at Springfield is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 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 University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield History Report

With a ranking of #16, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 4 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 Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Read full report on History at University of Akron Main Campus

#8 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Read full report on History at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#18

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#16 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #18. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Purdue History Report

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 6 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northeastern Illinois University History Report

#20

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 7 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cleveland State University are $17,622, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Cleveland State University

#21

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, DePaul University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. DePaul is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 5 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul University are $19,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at DePaul University

#22

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Ball State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Ball State also took the #21 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ball State History Report

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 15 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 IUPUI are $26,013.

Read full report on History at IUPUI

#24

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 11 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at IU Bloomington

Kent State University at Kent landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Kent State University at Kent is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 3 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Kent State University at Kent History Report

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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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