[History](/majors/history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 563 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value history schools.
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for history in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $45,363 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for history. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. History graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,090 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $43,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for history. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $28,790 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #6 spot for history value this year. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,656 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $14,721 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $26,862. That is a strong return on a $14,721 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny City College landed the #8 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $11,487 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #9 among the best values for history. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,160. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $13,141 in student loans. History graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $24,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #11 for value in history this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. History graduates carry a median of $19,022 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $27,360. That is a strong return on a $19,022 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College placed #12 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,769 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton earned the #13 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,524 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $27,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #14 among the best values for history. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,000. History graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $37,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #15 for value in history this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,678. Early-career history graduates make about $43,545. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #16 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University East Bay placed #17 among the best values for history. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. History graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $31,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #18 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,127. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $21,642. That is a strong return on a $20,127 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #19 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. 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. Early-career history graduates make about $27,975. That is a strong return on a $14,635 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento earned the #20 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $32,596. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #21 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,838. Early-career history graduates make about $34,592. That is a strong return on a $14,838 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #22 spot for history value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $18,125 to complete the history program here. History graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,081 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University landed the #23 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,107. Early-career history graduates make about $29,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,323. History graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #25 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,075. History graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $24,639 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,075 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value History Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for history this year:
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 · 563 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 563 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
