[History](/majors/history/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong history education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 649 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value history schools.
The right history school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value History Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value History Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for history in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,691. Early-career history graduates make about $61,459. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the best values for history. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $45,363. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,648. Early-career history graduates make about $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for history. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. History graduates carry a median of $15,090 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $43,874. Set against $15,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $28,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,721 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $39,503. That is a strong return on a $14,721 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,656. Early-career history graduates make about $32,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Cuny City College earned the #8 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,487 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $30,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #9 position for value in history this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Moorpark College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #11 for value in history this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for history graduates is $13,141. Early-career history graduates make about $24,077. That is a strong return on a $13,141 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #12 among the best values for history. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $19,022 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $27,360. Set against $19,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Modesto Junior College landed the #13 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton placed #14 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,524 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $31,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College earned the #15 position for value in history this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. History graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. History graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,769 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. History graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. History graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Northridge landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. History graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $37,031. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #18 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Santa Monica College placed #19 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
California State University Fresno ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $20,127 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $21,642. That is a strong return on a $20,127 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $31,059. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #22 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,692. History graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #23 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #24 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. History graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #25 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,635. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $27,975. Set against $14,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value History Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for history this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 649 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 649 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).
[History](/majors/history/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong history education at a price that pays off.
