2027 Best Value History Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 60 schools to find the best return on investment for history students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value History Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value History Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2027 list of the best value history schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,160. History graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for history. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,107. History graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $29,180 early in their careers. Set against $18,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $18,125 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $26,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #4 place for history. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,230. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $15,230 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,277. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $49,087. That is a strong return on a $19,277 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #6 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $13,919 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. That is a strong return on a $13,919 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Tulsa Community College placed #8 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College placed #9 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma placed #10 among the best values for history. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public school located in the town of Chickasha. Students from in state pay about $9,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,190. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma generally make around $30,136. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #11 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
South Texas College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the history program here. History graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
East Central University came in at #13 for value in history this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,267. Early-career history graduates make about $31,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Lamar University came in at #14 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. History graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. History graduates carry a median of $22,562 in student loans. History graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $33,264 early in their careers. Set against $22,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #16 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $37,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #17 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for history graduates is $25,125. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $30,230. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Tyler Junior College earned the #18 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,869. Early-career history graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University San Antonio earned the #19 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $33,392 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #20 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. History graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. History graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #21 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,996. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. History graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System placed #23 among the best values for history. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for history graduates is $10,425. History graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #24 spot for history value this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. History graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $24,801. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Mesa Community College earned the #25 position for value in history this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. History graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. History graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value History Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s history value ranking:
Narrow History Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
