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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for History in the Great Lakes Region

37 Ranked Colleges
349 Degrees Awarded
$20,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value History Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

History is the 22nd most popular major in the country with 32,905 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,735 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,343 and $24,004 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 349 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 37 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in history. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent history programs, but they also cost less that 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank History Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for History in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Ashland University

Ashland, Ohio
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ashland University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Ashland is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Ashland, Ohio. It awarded 59 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Ashland did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ashland are $6,444, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at Ashland

#2

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 11 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at Illinois State

#3

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 5 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about History at Northern Illinois University

#4

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Marquette University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. Marquette is a fairly large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 6 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Marquette also took the #6 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette University are $21,690.

Full Marquette University History Report

#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a fairly large public school situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It awarded 4 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Eau Claire not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Eau Claire are $19,430, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about History at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region 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 SIUE are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#5 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 7 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree history students list, UW - Madison has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on History at UW - Madison

#20 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. BGSU is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Ohio that handed out 14 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree history students list, BGSU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at BGSU are $15,823, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

#9

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Central Michigan University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s history students in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan also took the #18 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Central Michigan University History Report

#10

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #10. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Loyola University Chicago History Report

#9 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UC is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 8 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UC also made our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC History Report

#12

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Terre Haute, Indiana, this fairly large public school handed out 6 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 Indiana State University are $15,346.

Full Indiana State History Report

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Athens, Ohio, and it awarded 4 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OHIO Athens, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at OHIO Athens are $17,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at OHIO Athens

#14

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. UWM is a large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 14 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree history students list, UWM has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295.

Read more about History at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#15

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school awarded 4 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 University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757.

Read full report on History at University of Illinois at Springfield

With a ranking of #16, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Akron, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 4 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 University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Read full report on History at University of Akron Main Campus

#8 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign History Report

#18

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#16 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Purdue University - Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on History at Purdue University - Main Campus

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 6 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northeastern Illinois University History Report

#20

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Cleveland State University are $17,622.

Full Cleveland State University History Report

#21

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 5 masters’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full DePaul History Report

#22

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#21 in overall quality

Ball State University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Muncie, Indiana 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 Ball State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State are $26,204.

Read more about History at Ball State University

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 15 degrees 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 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013.

Read more about History at IUPUI

#24

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s history degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best History Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington History Report

Kent State University at Kent came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Kent State is located in Kent, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s history degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on History at Kent State

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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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