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 7 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 Glendale Community College Glendale Az the best value for a degree in history in Arizona. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Mesa Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Arizona University earned it the #3 place for history. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. History graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $28,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #4 place for history. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for history graduates is $28,513. History graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $46,055 early in their careers. Set against $28,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for history graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $30,592. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $32,237 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $43,596. Set against $32,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University came in at #7 for value in history this year. Ashford University is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Students borrow a median of $40,750 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $46,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.