2026 Best Value History Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value history schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,691. Early-career history graduates make about $61,459. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

2

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #2 place for history. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $12,648 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. History graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $28,790. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $13,000. Early-career history graduates make about $27,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for history. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,090. History graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $43,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,090 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

6

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,524. History graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $27,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,524 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

7

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #7 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. History graduates carry a median of $19,022 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $27,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

8

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus placed #8 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $11,656 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $32,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

9

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #9 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,487. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,290. Set against $11,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

10

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #10 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,635. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $27,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

11

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #11 for value in history this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. History graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

12

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #12 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $37,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

13

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #13 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,721. History graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $26,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

14

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,127. History graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $21,642 early in their careers. Set against $20,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

15

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #15 for value in history this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. History graduates carry a median of $13,141 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $24,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

16

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #16 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for history graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $18,674. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

17

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $45,363. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

18

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #18 among the best values for history. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $18,075 in student loans. History graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $24,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

19

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #19 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

20

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $18,107 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $29,180. Set against $18,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

21

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #21 position for value in history this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $25,014. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

22

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

23

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #23 for value in history this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.

24

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #24 for value in history this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,000. History graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $32,596 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

25

University Of Minnesota Morris
Morris, MN

University Of Minnesota Morris landed the #25 spot for history value this year. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $14,526 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $21,080 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $44,479. Set against $21,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.