2026 Best Value History Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN

For return on investment in history, no school beat Indiana University Southeast this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. History graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. History graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.

2

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $51,424. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.

3

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

A rank of #3 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for history. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,500. Early-career history graduates make about $26,474. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

5

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne one of the best values for history. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,119. Early-career history graduates make about $49,424. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

6

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #6 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $23,892 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $33,297. Set against $23,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

7

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,500. History graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $33,288 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

8

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #8 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $31,526 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,494. History graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $40,587 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

10

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $22,980 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

11

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana came in at #11 for value in history this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,629. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $40,692. That is a strong return on a $21,629 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

12

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #12 for value in history this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $31,250. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

13

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University placed #13 among the best values for history. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. History graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $36,257. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

14

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #14 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. History graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $26,436. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

15

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $26,916. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

16

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #16 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. History graduates carry a median of $23,754 in student loans. History graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $31,880 early in their careers. Set against $23,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

17

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University came in at #17 for value in history this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,500. Early-career history graduates make about $32,149. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

18

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. History graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $32,930 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.

19

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #19 position for value in history this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,909. History graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $35,959 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,909 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

20

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #20 for value in history this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $40,807. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

21

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University landed the #21 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,750. Early-career history graduates make about $28,444. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

22

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #22 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $29,702. Early-career history graduates make about $38,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

23

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University landed the #23 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,544 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $41,874. That is a strong return on a $32,544 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

24

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for history. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. History graduates carry a median of $19,276 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $27,157. That is a strong return on a $19,276 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

25

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #25 among the best values for history. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Students borrow a median of $26,924 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $28,013. Set against $26,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.