by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for history students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in history, no school beat Capital Community College this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,059. Early-career history graduates make about $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Central Connecticut State University, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Southern Connecticut State University one of the best values for history. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $34,858. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #4 makes Yale University one of the best values for history. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Yale University earn a median of $54,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Connecticut earned it the #5 place for history. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,470. History graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $27,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,470 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,928 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. History graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $26,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Wesleyan University placed #7 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,042. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hartford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,770. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Trinity College earn a median of $52,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Connecticut College placed #9 among the best values for history. Set in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,242. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Connecticut College earn a median of $34,657 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Quinnipiac University came in at #10 for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $62,573. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Quinnipiac University admits about 72% of applicants.
Sacred Heart University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,404. Typical student debt for history graduates is $25,831. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Sacred Heart University generally make around $62,864. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. Sacred Heart University admits about 65% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.