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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for History

257 Ranked Colleges
3,202 Degrees Awarded
$13,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value History Schools for a Master's

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s” ranking.

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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 3,202 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s” ranking, we looked at 257 colleges that offer a degree in history. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality history programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the history program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank History Schools

The history school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value History Schools for a Master’s

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value History Schools for a Master’s.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for History

#1

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
Top 15% in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American Public University System. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. American Public University System is located in Charles Town, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 181 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, American Military University also did well on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at American Public University System are $7,050, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at American Public University System

#2

Ashland University

Ashland, Ohio
Top 15% in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ashland University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s. This small school is located in Ashland, Ohio, and it awarded 59 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Ashland is also in the top of our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ashland are $6,444, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at Ashland University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Arizona State University - Skysong. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. This large school is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it awarded 76 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Skysong are $6,724, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at Arizona State University - Skysong

#4

Providence College

Providence, Rhode Island
Top 20% in overall quality

Out of the 257 schools in the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Providence College landed the #4 spot on the list. Providence College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Providence, Rhode Island. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Providence also did well on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Providence College are $9,750, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at Providence College

#5

Westfield State University

Westfield, Massachusetts

Out of the 257 schools in the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Westfield State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Westfield is a medium-sized public school situated in Westfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 6 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Westfield State University are $6,696, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Westfield History Report

#6

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 11 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Illinois State History Report

With a ranking of #7, University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public institution located in Kearney, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 38 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNK are $14,792, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at University of Nebraska at Kearney

#8

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #8. Salem State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Salem, Massachusetts. It awarded 12 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Salem State University are $10,477, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at Salem State

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 3 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Minnesota State Mankato

#10

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.

Read more about History at NIU

#11

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 122 degrees to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Liberty University are $8,349, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Liberty University History Report

#12

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. This medium-sized school is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 16 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SRU are $17,652, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

#13

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #13. Texas Tech is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 9 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech are $17,530.

Read more about History at Texas Tech University

#14

Norwich University

Northfield, Vermont
Top 10% in overall quality

Norwich University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. Located in Northfield, Vermont, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 69 diplomas to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

Norwich excels when it comes to history quality. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Norwich University are $20,264.

Read more about History at Norwich

#15

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
#24 in overall quality

Villanova University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. Villanova is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

Villanova not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Villanova are $20,719.

Read full report on History at Villanova University

#16

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #16. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $12,637, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at USD

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Missouri State History Report

#18

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Top 15% in overall quality

Marquette University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. Marquette is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 6 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Marquette also claimed a top spot on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette are $21,690.

Full Marquette University History Report

#19

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts
Top 15% in overall quality

Simmons University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. Simmons is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Simmons is also in the top of our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Simmons are $21,698.

Read more about History at Simmons

#20

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and it awarded 7 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Miss are $10,896.

Full Southern Miss History Report

#21

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #21. UW - 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.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Eau Claire are $19,430, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at UW - Eau Claire

#22

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

University of North Texas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #22. UNT is a large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 14 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at UNT

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s ranking. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at UW - Madison

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s list. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and it awarded 14 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at BGSU

Rest of the Best 39 in Best Value History Schools for a Master’s

Not only did these schools make the top 39 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#27

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#27

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#29

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#30

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#33

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#36

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#38

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina

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.

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