by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value history schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among history schools in Texas. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,107. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $29,180. Set against $18,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for history. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. History graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,081. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for history. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,230 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $15,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Houston Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,223. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College earned the #6 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for history graduates is $6,868. History graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,081. History graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University earned the #8 position for value in history this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #9 for value in history this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,625. History graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $37,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #10 among the best values for history. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,562. Early-career history graduates make about $33,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $30,230. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Tyler Junior College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. 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. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #14 for value in history this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $33,392. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Lone Star College System came in at #15 for value in history this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $24,801. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #17 position for value in history this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for history graduates is $25,531. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #18 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,875. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $44,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,300. Early-career history graduates make about $34,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Houston placed #20 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. History graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $39,240. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #21 spot for history value this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $25,000. Early-career history graduates make about $31,652. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #22 for value in history this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $57,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #23 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $22,680 in student loans. History graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $36,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University placed #24 among the best values for history. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $53,784. That is a strong return on a $29,824 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University placed #25 among the best values for history. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $21,344 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $34,519. Set against $21,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in history:
The ranking above is published 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.