2026 Best Value History Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in history in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for history. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. History graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. History graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #3 place for history. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. History graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #4. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for history graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #7 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $14,635 to complete the history program here. History graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $27,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,635 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in history this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. History graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. History graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College came in at #10 for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. History graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. History graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College landed the #13 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College landed the #14 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. History graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College placed #16 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,721 to complete the history program here. History graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $39,503 early in their careers. Set against $14,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Monica College landed the #18 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #19 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. History graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for history graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College landed the #21 spot for history value this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for history graduates is $6,176. History graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College earned the #22 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for history graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton earned the #23 position for value in history this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $31,994. That is a strong return on a $14,524 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College landed the #24 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,196. Early-career history graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
California State University Stanislaus placed #25 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $11,656 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $32,184. Set against $11,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value History Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for history this year:
Narrow History Schools by State
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 · 228 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
[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.
