by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 182 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for history students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in history in California. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,075. Early-career history graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the history program here. History graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #3 spot this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. History graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. History graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #4 place for history. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Irvine Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the history program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons landed the #6 spot for history value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for history graduates is $9,776. History graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #7 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for history graduates is $10,288. Early-career history graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College landed the #8 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for history graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College landed the #9 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #10 for value in history this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for history graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #11 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. History graduates carry a median of $14,635 in student loans. 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. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Saddleback College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Moreno Valley College landed the #13 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,643. Early-career history graduates make about $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College came in at #14 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. 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.
Ventura College placed #15 among the best values for history. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #16 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. 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.
Reedley College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. History graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Santiago Canyon College placed #20 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. 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.
Norco College landed the #21 spot for history value this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. 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 $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #22 on our 2026 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,721. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $39,503. Set against $14,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Santa Ana College placed #23 among the best values for history. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. History graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Shasta College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,275. Early-career history graduates make about $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Yuba College came in at #25 for value in history this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. History graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for history this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 182 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.