2026 Best Value History Associate’s Degree Schools

1

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in history in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. History graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

A rank of #2 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the best values for history. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. History graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. History graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

Students looking for strong value in history will find it at San Diego Miramar College, which ranked #4. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the history program here. History graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College came in at #7 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.

8

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College landed the #8 spot for history value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for history graduates is $6,999. History graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Irvine Valley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.

11

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.

12

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College earned the #12 position for value in history this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.

13

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College earned the #13 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. History graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College landed the #14 spot for history value this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. History graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College placed #15 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College placed #16 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College came in at #17 for value in history this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. History graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.

18

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho placed #18 among the best values for history. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for history graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

19

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College placed #19 among the best values for history. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,246. History graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College came in at #20 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. History graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College landed the #21 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. History graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.

22

Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College placed #22 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.

23

Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College earned the #23 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,250. History graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.

24

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College earned the #24 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. History graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. History graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

College Of The Sequoias landed the #25 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. History graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.