2023 Best Value History Schools
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best History School for You
In 2020-2021, 32,731 people earned a degree or certificate in history, making the major the #31 most popular in the United States.
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value History Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 418 schools in the United States to see which programs offered the best value experiences for history students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in History
Our analysis found American Public University System to be the best value school for history students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. American Military University is a very large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Charles Town.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at American Military University are $7,360 per year. On average, history graduates from American Military University take out $20,854 in student loans while working on their degree.
In addition to its great value ranking, American Military University is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best History Schools list.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ashland University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools list. Located in the fringe town of Ashland, Ashland is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Ashland undergraduate students pay an average of $23,090 in tuition and fees each year. On average, history graduates from Ashland take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools list. Located in the city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
BYU undergraduate students pay an average of $6,120 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, history graduates from BYU carry an average student debtload of $19,314.
BYU also claimed a spot on our Best History Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Full History at Brigham Young University - Provo Report
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Out of the 418 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Idaho landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the distant town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.
BYU - I undergraduate students pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees each year.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Maryland Global Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools list. UMGC is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Adelphi.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UMGC are $12,336 a year. While working on their degree, history majors at UMGC accumulate an average of around $22,129 in student debt.
UMGC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best History Schools list.
Read full report on History at University of Maryland Global Campus
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Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for history students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ASU - Skysong are $13,092 per year. On average, history graduates from ASU - Skysong take out $28,276 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $295.
ASU - Skysong also claimed a spot on our Best History Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Full History at Arizona State University - Skysong Report
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With a ranking of #7, National University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for history students. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of La Jolla.
National University undergraduate students pay an average of $13,320 in tuition and fees each year. History majors at National University take out an average of $31,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
National University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best History Schools list.
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South Dakota State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools ranking. Located in the remote town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public school with a large student population.
South Dakota State undergraduate students pay an average of $12,809 in tuition and fees each year. History majors at South Dakota State take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
South Dakota State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best History Schools list.
Full History at South Dakota State University Report
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Columbia College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value history programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Columbia College Missouri are $11,636 a year. While working on their degree, history majors at Columbia College Missouri accumulate an average of around $36,950 in student debt.
In addition to its great value ranking, Columbia College Missouri is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best History Schools list.
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Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools ranking. Drury University - CCPS is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Springfield.
Drury University - CCPS undergraduate students pay an average of $7,924 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, history majors at Drury University - CCPS accumulate an average of around $29,000 in student debt.
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University of North Carolina at Pembroke ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value History Schools list. UNC Pembroke is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNC Pembroke are $7,495 per year. History majors at UNC Pembroke take out an average of $26,486 in student loans while working on their egree.
Read full report on History at University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value history programs. SIUE is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SIUE are $11,496 a year. After completing their degree, history graduates from SIUE carry an average student debtload of $22,750.
Full History at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Report
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Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value History Schools list. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State Mankato is a public school with a large student population.
Minnesota State Mankato undergraduate students pay an average of $18,200 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, history majors at Minnesota State Mankato accumulate an average of around $26,667 in student debt.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Minnesota State Mankato also is in the top 15% of our Best History Schools ranking.
Full History at Minnesota State University - Mankato Report
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With a ranking of #15, University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well on this year’s best value schools for history students. UNK is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Kearney.
UNK undergraduate students pay an average of $15,320 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, history graduates from UNK carry an average student debtload of $20,581.
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University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for history students. It came in at #16 on the list. UW Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW Oshkosh are $15,306 per year.
UW Oshkosh excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best History Schools list.
Full History at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Report
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Salisbury University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value History Schools list. Located in the small suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Salisbury are $20,458 a year. On average, history graduates from Salisbury take out $23,372 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $460.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Salisbury also is in the top 15% of our Best History Schools ranking.
Full History at Salisbury University Report
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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for history students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, SRU is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SRU are $14,615 a year. After completing their degree, history graduates from SRU carry an average student debtload of $26,889.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, SRU also did well on our Best History Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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With a ranking of #19, Western Carolina University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for history students. Located in the distant town of Cullowhee, WCU is a public college with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WCU are $8,367 a year. After completing their degree, history graduates from WCU carry an average student debtload of $25,550.
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Dalton State College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value History Schools list. DSC is a small public school located in the city of Dalton.
DSC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,589 in tuition and fees each year. History majors at DSC take out an average of $13,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full History at Dalton State College Report
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Northern Illinois University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for history students. It came in at #21 on the list. NIU is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb.
NIU undergraduate students pay an average of $14,738 in tuition and fees each year. History majors at NIU take out an average of $22,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full History at Northern Illinois University Report
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SUNY Cortland did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for history students. It came in at #22 on the list. SUNY Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland.
SUNY Cortland undergraduate students pay an average of $18,725 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, history graduates from SUNY Cortland carry an average student debtload of $25,691.
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With a ranking of #23, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s best value schools for history students. Ship is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Ship are $14,122 a year. History majors at Ship take out an average of $26,976 in student loans while working on their egree.
Read full report on History at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
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Northeastern State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for history students. It came in at #24 on the list. NSU is a moderately-sized public school located in the remote town of Tahlequah.
NSU undergraduate students pay an average of $15,755 in tuition and fees each year. History majors at NSU take out an average of $23,165 in student loans while working on their egree.
Read full report on History at Northeastern State University
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Western Illinois University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for history students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in the town of Macomb, WIU is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WIU are $13,297 a year. After completing their degree, history graduates from WIU carry an average student debtload of $29,750.
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Remaining Award Winners
This list represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Value History Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 418 different United States history schools we analyzed.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT |
| 52 | Stephen F Austin State University | Nacogdoches, TX |
| 53 | University of Houston - Clear Lake | Houston, TX |
| 54 | University of Arkansas - Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR |
| 55 | Colorado State University - Pueblo | Pueblo, CO |
| 56 | Texas Woman’s University | Denton, TX |
| 57 | University of Wisconsin - Parkside | Kenosha, WI |
| 58 | University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, GA |
| 59 | University of Memphis | Memphis, TN |
| 59 | Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI |
| 61 | Norwich University | Northfield, VT |
| 62 | University of South Florida - Main Campus | Tampa, FL |
| 62 | Georgia Gwinnett College | Lawrenceville, GA |
| 62 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | West Chester, PA |
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great value schools for History students seeking value that almost earned our Best Value History Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | Columbus State University | Columbus, GA |
| 66 | University of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH |
| 67 | Texas A&M University - Commerce | Commerce, TX |
| 68 | Texas A&M University - San Antonio | San Antonio, TX |
| 69 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC |
| 69 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL |
| 71 | SUNY Geneseo | Geneseo, NY |
| 72 | University of North Texas | Denton, TX |
| 73 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL |
| 74 | Lehman College | Bronx, NY |
| 75 | Towson University | Towson, MD |
| 76 | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, TN |
| 77 | Utah State University | Logan, UT |
| 77 | Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ |
| 79 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, SC |
| 80 | Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, CA |
| 80 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR |
| 80 | San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA |
| 80 | Clayton State University | Morrow, GA |
History by Region
View the Best Value History Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More History Rankings
Majors Related to History
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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.
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