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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value history schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of North Alabama tops our 2027 list of the best value history schools in Alabama. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Students borrow a median of $19,350 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $27,927. Set against $19,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jacksonville State University earned it the #2 place for history. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Typical student debt for history graduates is $31,000. History graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $29,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Troy University, which ranked #3. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. Students from in state pay about $10,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $39,591. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Alabama earned it the #4 place for history. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,000. Early-career history graduates make about $29,744. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at University Of Montevallo, which ranked #5. University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Montevallo. In-state tuition and fees average $13,948, compared with $26,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,096 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $32,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #6 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,132, with out-of-state students paying around $26,408. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,797. Early-career history graduates make about $62,903. That is a strong return on a $24,797 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #7 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. History graduates carry a median of $28,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $28,121. Set against $28,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #8 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $20,568 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $25,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Auburn University earned the #9 position for value in history this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. History graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. History graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $30,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Samford University came in at #10 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,039. History graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,039 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.