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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value History Education Schools in Illinois

4 Colleges in the United States
$25,073 Avg Student Debt
$60,973 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value History Education Badge [History Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/history-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value history education schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value History Education Schools in Illinois

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the history education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value History Education Schools

1

For return on investment in history education, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. History Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $58,732. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

2

Saint Xavier University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $27,194. Early-career history education graduates make about $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

3

Augustana College Illinois is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. 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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for history education. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. History Education graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career history education graduates make about $49,254. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

5

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #5 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $21,182. History Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $51,816 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,182 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

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Trinity Christian College crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College came in at #6 for value in history education this year. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,605. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $48,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

7
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College placed #7 among the best values for history education. 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. The acceptance rate is 74%.

8

Bradley University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. History Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career history education graduates make about $54,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

9
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #9 spot for history education value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $26,910. History Education graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $52,130 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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