2026 Best Value History Schools in Virginia
[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.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value history schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value History Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value History Schools
Old Dominion University earned the #1 spot for value among history schools in Virginia. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. History graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. History graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $36,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,875 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #2 spot this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $38,921. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Military Institute came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $42,543. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Virginia Military Institute admits about 71% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Virginia State University, which ranked #4. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,043, while out-of-state students pay about $22,650. Typical student debt for history graduates is $29,010. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $40,620. Set against $29,010 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Mary Baldwin College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,187 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $29,562. History graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $60,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,562 median debt.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise placed #6 among the best values for history. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. Students from in state pay about $11,780 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. History graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. History graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. Set against $17,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #7 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the history program here. 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.
Regent University earned the #8 position for value in history this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Typical student debt for history graduates is $29,451. Early-career history graduates make about $50,406. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Bridgewater College placed #9 among the best values for history. Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. In-state tuition and fees average $16,090. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $32,771. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bridgewater College admits about 92% of applicants.
James Madison University earned the #10 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. History graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. History graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $29,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,018. Early-career history graduates make about $31,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
Longwood University earned the #12 position for value in history this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $37,404. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Christopher Newport University landed the #13 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,828, with out-of-state students paying around $31,178. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $29,386. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary landed the #14 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $31,595. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $19,352 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $34,028. That is a strong return on a $19,352 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #16 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,499. History graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $33,319 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Washington And Lee University landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,045 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,074 median debt. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.
Hampden Sydney College earned the #18 position for value in history this year. Set in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Hampden Sydney College generally make around $42,949. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Roanoke College placed #19 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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%.
Liberty University landed the #20 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Early-career history graduates make about $39,823. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Richmond placed #21 among the best values for history. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $65,230 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,634 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $53,815. Set against $21,634 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Richmond admits about 22% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked 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 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.
