by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/history/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong history education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for history students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the history degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in history, no school beat Radford University this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $28,239. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #2 spot this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,875. History graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $36,733 early in their careers. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Virginia Military Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. History graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $42,543. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Military Institute admits about 71% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $31,595. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 34%.
George Mason University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $38,921. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Bridgewater College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,090. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $32,771. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Longwood University landed the #7 spot for history value this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,740, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $37,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #8 for value in history this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,352 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $34,028. That is a strong return on a $19,352 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #9 spot for history value this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,018. History graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $31,965 early in their careers. Set against $23,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University landed the #10 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $50,406. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Hampden Sydney College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,550. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Hampden Sydney College generally make around $42,949. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hampden Sydney College admits about 41% of applicants.
James Madison University came in at #12 for value in history this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $29,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Christopher Newport University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $29,386. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Washington And Lee University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,045. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,074. Early-career history graduates make about $76,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #15 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $29,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Roanoke College came in at #16 for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,068. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $25,940. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,499 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $33,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Liberty University placed #18 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $39,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Richmond landed the #19 spot for history value this year. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,230. History graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $53,815. That is a strong return on a $21,634 median debt. The acceptance rate is 22%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.