by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value history schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Sinclair Community College, our #1 best value for history in Ohio. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Wright State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,276 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $27,157. That is a strong return on a $19,276 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. History graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $26,663 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $29,535 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Youngstown State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. History graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $49,025. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
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University Of Toledo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. History graduates carry a median of $21,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Set against $21,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #7 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $28,476. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $24,075. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for history value this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. History graduates carry a median of $24,063 in student loans. History graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $30,226 early in their careers. Set against $24,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Muskingum University landed the #10 spot for history value this year. Located in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,701. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Muskingum University generally make around $39,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Muskingum University admits about 82% of applicants.
Ashland University landed the #11 spot for history value this year. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,210 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,734 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $65,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #12 spot for history value this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,756 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $31,217 early in their careers. Set against $23,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #13 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $29,424. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
The College Of Wooster landed the #14 spot for history value this year. Set in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,640. Students borrow a median of $26,720 to complete the history program here. History graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $28,013 early in their careers. Set against $26,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,832 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. History graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $31,163 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford landed the #16 spot for history value this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. History graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. History graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $31,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Kenyon College landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Gambier. In-state tuition and fees average $71,520. History graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $37,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kenyon College admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Dayton landed the #18 spot for history value this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Students borrow a median of $26,912 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $56,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
Xavier University earned the #19 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. History graduates carry a median of $26,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. Set against $26,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Denison University landed the #20 spot for history value this year. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,000. History graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Denison University generally make around $39,797. Set against $25,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Case Western Reserve University earned the #21 position for value in history this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
Oberlin College came in at #22 for value in history this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,366. History graduates carry a median of $26,050 in student loans. History graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $25,146 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,050 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.