2027 Best Value History Schools in Minnesota
[History](/majors/history/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong history education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for history students.
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2027 Best Value History Schools in Minnesota
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 University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 best value for history in Minnesota. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $26,635. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwest Minnesota State University earned it the #2 place for history. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,016. Early-career history graduates make about $47,898. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Students borrow a median of $26,743 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $42,297. That is a strong return on a $26,743 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minnesota State University Mankato earned it the #4 place for history. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $39,186. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Gustavus Adolphus College one of the best values for history. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $26,197 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.
St Olaf College landed the #6 spot for history value this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Typical student debt for history graduates is $25,812. History graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $40,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,812 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Carleton College landed the #7 spot for history value this year. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,566. History graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. Set against $17,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 20%.
Macalester College landed the #8 spot for history value this year. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $68,104 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,147. History graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $42,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,147 median debt. Macalester College admits about 28% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
