2026 Best Value History Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[History Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/history-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value history education schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value History Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value History Education Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among history education schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,732 early in their careers. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for history education. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. History Education graduates carry a median of $27,194 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. That is a strong return on a $27,194 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Northeastern Illinois University one of the best values for history education. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $25,250. Early-career history education graduates make about $49,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Students looking for strong value in history education will find it at Youngstown State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $26,751. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Augustana College Illinois earned it the #5 place for history education. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. History Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. History Education graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $45,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University came in at #6 for value in history education this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $29,076. Early-career history education graduates make about $54,608. That is a strong return on a $29,076 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. History Education graduates carry a median of $21,182 in student loans. Early-career history education graduates make about $51,816. Set against $21,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University landed the #8 spot for history education value this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $52,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. History Education graduates carry a median of $28,550 in student loans. Early-career history education graduates make about $50,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Trinity Christian College landed the #10 spot for history education value this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,605 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history education program here. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Trinity Christian College generally make around $48,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Albion College placed #11 among the best values for history education. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,950. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $26,047. Early-career history education graduates make about $40,829. That is a strong return on a $26,047 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Northern Michigan University came in at #12 for value in history education this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $27,000. History Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $48,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Evansville landed the #13 spot for history education value this year. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. History Education graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. History Education graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $59,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #15 among the best values for history education. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $27,437 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $60,244 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Western Michigan University came in at #16 for value in history education this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. History Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career history education graduates make about $48,382. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Elmhurst College landed the #17 spot for history education value this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $27,000. History Education graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
Valparaiso University landed the #18 spot for history education value this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,450. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history education program here. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Valparaiso University generally make around $46,750. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Spring Arbor University landed the #19 spot for history education value this year. Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,014. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $28,360. History Education graduates of Spring Arbor University earn a median of $53,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Adrian College came in at #20 for value in history education this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,684 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,994 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Set against $30,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Adrian College admits about 72% of applicants.
Lakeland College placed #21 among the best values for history education. Set in the rural area of Plymouth, Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,396. History Education graduates carry a median of $29,722 in student loans. Early-career history education graduates make about $52,412. Set against $29,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lakeland College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #22 spot for history education value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Cornerstone University placed #23 among the best values for history education. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $44,501. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.
Bradley University came in at #24 for value in history education this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Calvin College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. History Education graduates carry a median of $26,022 in student loans. Early-career history education graduates make about $42,737. That is a strong return on a $26,022 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value History Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for history education this year:
Narrow History Education Schools by State
More History Education Rankings
View All History Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
