2026 Best Value History Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value History certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1480 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value History Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Leading the list is Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 best-value History school in the United States. This public school is set in Slippery Rock, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical History student debt is $27,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,032 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. More on Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #2 on this year's best-value History ranking in the United States. Located in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,112 to complete their History program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,561 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,112 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand Valley State University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,569 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,118. Set against $25,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 83% of those who apply are admitted. More on Grand Valley State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Akron, OH, University Of Akron Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. The median History program debt is $23,100. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Akron Main Campus
You'll get strong value at Rowan University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Glassboro, NJ, Rowan University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Rowan University alumni report median earnings of $59,988 a decade after entry. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%. Get the full Rowan University report
Arizona State University landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Arizona State University History students take on a median of $28,513 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,668 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. More on Arizona State University
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical History student debt is $24,063. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,896 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,063 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted. More on Bowling Green State University Main Campus
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Based in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus History students take on a median of $23,756 in debt. Median earnings reach $54,810 ten years out. Set against $23,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 85%. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Johnstown, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Typical History student debt is $24,400. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,125 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown
University Of Florida ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value History schools. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,022 to complete their History program here. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Florida profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $20,909 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison has an acceptance rate of 45%. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #12 among the best-value History schools in the United States. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $19,553 to complete their History program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,121. Set against $19,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
Ohio University Main Campus placed #13 among the best-value History schools in the United States. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school based in Athens, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Ohio University Main Campus History students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,581. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Ohio University Main Campus report
Barton College
Barton College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. See the full Barton College profile
Haverford College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Read the full report on Haverford College
Hofstra University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value History schools. See the full Hofstra University profile
Monmouth University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Get the full Monmouth University report
Morgan State University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. More on Morgan State University
South Mountain Community College landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full South Mountain Community College report
University Of Southern California ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value History schools. See the full University Of Southern California profile
Dean College
Dean College placed #21 among the best-value History schools in the United States. Read more about Dean College
Grand Canyon University placed #22 among the best-value History schools in the United States. See the full Grand Canyon University profile
Kean University
Kean University placed #23 among the best-value History schools in the United States. Read more about Kean University
Loyola University New Orleans landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Loyola University New Orleans report
Morehouse College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. More on Morehouse College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value History Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Roanoke College
Roanoke College landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Roanoke College profile
Rutgers University Camden placed #27 among the best-value History schools in the United States. Read more about Rutgers University Camden
Stonehill College landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Stonehill College
University Of California Davis placed #29 among the best-value History schools in the United States. Read more about University Of California Davis
University Of West Alabama ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value History schools. Read more about University Of West Alabama
Utica College
Utica College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value History schools. More on Utica College
Wartburg College
Wartburg College landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Wartburg College
West Virginia University landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on West Virginia University
Wingate University landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Wingate University profile
Antioch College
Antioch College landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Antioch College
Bowie State University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value History schools. See the full Bowie State University profile
Central Connecticut State University offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on Central Connecticut State University
Lynchburg College landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Lynchburg College
Mercyhurst College placed #39 among the best-value History schools in the United States. Get the full Mercyhurst College report
Monterey Peninsula College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. More on Monterey Peninsula College
Olivet Nazarene University placed #41 among the best-value History schools in the United States. More on Olivet Nazarene University
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Taylor University landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Taylor University profile
Tougaloo College
Tougaloo College placed #44 among the best-value History schools in the United States. More on Tougaloo College
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value History schools. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
Clarkson University landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Clarkson University
Furman University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value History schools. See the full Furman University profile
Lindenwood University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on Lindenwood University
Middle Georgia State University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value History schools. Read the full report on Middle Georgia State University
Siena Heights University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value History schools. Read more about Siena Heights University
Related History Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value History Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value History Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value History Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value History Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value History Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value History Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value History Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1480 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).