by our College Data Analytics Team
[History Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/history-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value history education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in history education, no school beat Peru State College this year. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. Students from in state pay about $8,433 in tuition and fees. History Education graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. History Education graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $40,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chadron State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $24,943 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $46,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
Wayne State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value history education schools. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,957 to complete the history education program here. History Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hastings College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history education, landing the #4 spot this year. Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hastings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,770. Typical student debt for history education graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, history education degree recipients from Hastings College generally make around $42,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hastings College admits about 72% of applicants.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.