by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Bowdoin College the best value for a degree in history in the New England Region. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. History graduates carry a median of $20,658 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $58,938. Set against $20,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Fitchburg State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,635. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $46,184. Set against $21,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Colby College one of the best values for history. Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. Students from in state pay about $69,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $46,772. Set against $22,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Worcester State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,610 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $38,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,610 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Capital Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,059. History graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harvard University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,721. History graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $53,468 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,721 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Salem State University earned the #7 position for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Early-career history graduates make about $29,307. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University landed the #8 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $34,215. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Williams College came in at #9 for value in history this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,615 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $53,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. History graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $36,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #11 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $27,586. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. History graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $34,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rhode Island College came in at #13 for value in history this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $24,141 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $31,981. That is a strong return on a $24,141 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Central Connecticut State University earned the #14 position for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,604. History graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $30,301 early in their careers. Set against $23,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. History graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. History graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $24,879 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #16 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. History graduates carry a median of $24,862 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $46,908 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,862 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont placed #17 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,497. Early-career history graduates make about $28,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Amherst College placed #18 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,398. Early-career history graduates make about $56,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #19 spot for history value this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $34,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #20 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $21,469 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $34,319. That is a strong return on a $21,469 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Yale University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. History graduates of Yale University earn a median of $54,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine landed the #22 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $31,357. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Plymouth State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,972 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $44,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $30,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $26,805. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in history:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.