2023 Best Value Colleges for History (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
57
Ranked Colleges
3,756
Degrees Awarded
$8,600
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 32,731 people earned their degree in history, making the major the 23rd most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, history graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $30,467 and had an average of $23,587 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,756 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,228 and $24,399 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 57 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in history. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great history programs and cost less that 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.
More Ways to Rank History Schools
The history school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.
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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for History (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 103 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $2,500 for great lakes region history students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full UChicago History Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 82 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $245 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Northwestern History Report
Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 160 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
U-M also made our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $2,670 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on History at U-M
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 154 ’s history degrees to qualified students.
UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $3,981 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on History at UW - Madison
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 117 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC also took the #5 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,858 for great lakes region history students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIUC.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about History at UIUC
University of Notre Dame came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 48 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region history students whose families make $0-$30k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Notre Dame is $9,872 for great lakes region history students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about History at Notre Dame
With a ranking of #7, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 83 students in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on History at Indiana University - Bloomington
Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 155 degrees to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.
Ohio State also took the #7 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,068 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about History at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s history degrees to qualified students.
Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Purdue is $5,995 for great lakes region history students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on History at Purdue University - Main Campus
Michigan State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 47 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan State also took the #16 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $6,927 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Michigan State University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on History at Michigan State University
Oberlin College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Oberlin, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 34 degrees to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.
Oberlin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Oberlin is $8,756 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Oberlin History Report
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 41 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $7,026 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis History Report
Oakland University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 51 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
Oakland not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,949 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oakland University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on History at Oakland
Kenyon College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kenyon College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Gambier, Ohio. It awarded 14 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region history students whose families make $0-$30k list, Kenyon has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,958 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kenyon.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on History at Kenyon College
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,517 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about History at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Ball State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 53 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $8,273 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on History at Ball State University
With a ranking of #17, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s history degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $8,047 for great lakes region history students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full SIUE History Report
University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 47 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $10,549 for great lakes region history students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on History at University of Illinois at Chicago
Illinois State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 107 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
Illinois State also made our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $13,783 for great lakes region history students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on History at Illinois State
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 41 degrees to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.
UW - Eau Claire also made our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $9,547 for great lakes region history students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about History at UW - Eau Claire
With a ranking of #21, Wabash College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wabash is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Crawfordsville, Indiana. It awarded 18 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
Wabash did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wabash is $16,637 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on History at Wabash College
University of Wisconsin - Parkside came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kenosha, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Parkside is $6,741 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on History at UW - Parkside
With a ranking of #23, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan University is $10,805 for great lakes region history students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Central Michigan University History Report
Ashland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. This small school is located in Ashland, Ohio, and it awarded 75 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
Ashland also made our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Ashland University is $19,728 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on History at Ashland
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 53 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.
UC also made our “Best History Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $15,061 for Great Lakes Region History students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on History at UC
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