by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for history students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Bowdoin College earned the #1 spot for value among history schools in the New England Region. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,832. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $58,938. That is a strong return on a $20,658 median debt. The acceptance rate is 7%.
A rank of #2 makes Fitchburg State University one of the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. History graduates carry a median of $21,635 in student loans. History graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $46,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Colby College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,016. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Worcester State University earned it the #4 place for history. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $24,610 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $38,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Capital Community College one of the best values for history. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,059. Early-career history graduates make about $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Harvard University earned the #6 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $12,721 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $53,468. Set against $12,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University placed #7 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. History graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $29,307 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University earned the #8 position for value in history this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $34,215. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Williams College landed the #9 spot for history value this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,615. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $53,652. Set against $12,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $36,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. History graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $27,586 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Framingham State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. History graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $34,836 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rhode Island College placed #13 among the best values for history. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Students borrow a median of $24,141 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $31,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University came in at #14 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,604. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $30,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. History graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $24,879. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #16 among the best values for history. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $24,862 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $46,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Vermont placed #17 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. History graduates carry a median of $20,497 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $28,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,497 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Amherst College came in at #18 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,398. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $56,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #19 position for value in history this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,500. History graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $34,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #20 spot for history value this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. History graduates carry a median of $21,469 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $34,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Yale University landed the #21 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $54,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Maine landed the #22 spot for history value this year. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Early-career history graduates make about $31,357. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University earned the #23 position for value in history this year. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,972. Early-career history graduates make about $44,487. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #24 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. History graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $30,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #25 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $26,805 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in history:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.