2026 Best Value History Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in history in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

2

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

A rank of #2 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for history. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. History graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. 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.

3

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #3 place for history. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. History graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.

4

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #4. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

Students looking for strong value in history will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for history graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Irvine Valley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #7 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $14,635 to complete the history program here. History graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $27,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,635 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

8

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in history this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

College Of The Sequoias ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. History graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. History graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College came in at #10 for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.

11

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. History graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. History graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College landed the #13 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. 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

Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College landed the #14 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College ranked #15 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College placed #16 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the history program here. 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.

17

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. 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, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,721 to complete the history program here. History graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $39,503 early in their careers. Set against $14,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

18

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College landed the #18 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.

19

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College earned the #19 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. History graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for history graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA

Imperial Valley College landed the #21 spot for history value this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for history graduates is $6,176. History graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College earned the #22 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for history graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #23 position for value in history this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,524 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $31,994. That is a strong return on a $14,524 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

24

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College landed the #24 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,196. Early-career history graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.

25

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus placed #25 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $11,656 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $32,184. Set against $11,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.