2027 Best Value History Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for history students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value History Schools in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is Fort Hays State University, our #1 best value for history in the The Plains States Region. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $49,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #2 place for history. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. History graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans. History graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $25,010 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,125 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $36,401 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #4 place for history. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. History graduates carry a median of $25,445 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $24,289. Set against $25,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pittsburg State University earned it the #5 place for history. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,669. History graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,016. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. That is a strong return on a $27,016 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #7 position for value in history this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,500. History graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $26,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Grinnell College came in at #8 for value in history this year. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,500. History graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $39,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #9 position for value in history this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $25,187. History graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $74,532 early in their careers. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #10 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,776. History graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $27,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,776 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #11 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for history graduates is $28,738. History graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $35,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,250. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $39,340. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
Bellevue University landed the #13 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,852. Early-career history graduates make about $61,548. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $54,076. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Kansas came in at #15 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $42,451 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Black Hills State University placed #16 among the best values for history. Located in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. History graduates carry a median of $26,820 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Black Hills State University generally make around $42,789. That is a strong return on a $26,820 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,500. History graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $33,013 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota came in at #18 for value in history this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $64,378. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Iowa State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,007. Early-career history graduates make about $41,294. Set against $26,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #20 among the best values for history. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. History graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $27,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #21 for value in history this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,743. Early-career history graduates make about $42,297. Set against $26,743 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Kansas State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,539. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $33,744. That is a strong return on a $19,539 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #23 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $39,186. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #24 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $26,996. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Lindenwood University placed #25 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for history graduates is $28,663. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value History Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for history this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
