Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

History

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for History (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

42 Ranked Colleges
349 Degrees Awarded
$29,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value History Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 32,905 people earned their degree in history, making the major the 22nd most popular in the United States. 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 For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 42 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in history. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality history programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree history students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for History (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 4 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #3 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern University History Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 11 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UChicago History Report

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#4

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #2 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at Notre Dame

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Full UW - Madison History Report

#8 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree history students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign History Report

#7

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Michigan State

#10 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ohio State is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 7 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also made our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Ohio State

#9

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#16 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 3 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree history students whose families make $0-$30k list, Purdue has also earned the #16 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 Purdue are $28,794.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus History Report

#10

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 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 IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full IU Bloomington History Report

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013.

Read more about History at IUPUI

#12

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Ball State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204.

Read more about History at Ball State University

#13

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
#14 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Eau Claire, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Eau Claire are $19,430, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at UW - Eau Claire

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k 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.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at SIUE

#15

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#17 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. UWM is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 14 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree history students whose families make $0-$30k list, UWM has also earned the #17 rank 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#16

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northern Illinois University History Report

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree history students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIC has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at University of Illinois at Chicago

#18

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Central Michigan University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 8 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan also made our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Central Michigan University

#19

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 11 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #15 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at Illinois State

#9 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 8 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. 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 full report on History at UC

#21

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, and it awarded 6 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Full Indiana State University History Report

#22

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 2 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also made our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at EIU

#23 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at SIUC

#24

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. 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.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIS History Report

#13 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Oxford also made our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697.

Read full report on History at Miami University - Oxford

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured History Schools

Find Schools Near You