2026 Best Value History Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Leading the list is California State University Los Angeles, our #1 best value for history in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,721. Early-career history graduates make about $52,144. That is a strong return on a $14,721 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for history graduates is $14,524. Early-career history graduates make about $36,905. Set against $14,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #3 place for history. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for history graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,769. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,487 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

5

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #5 spot this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $20,127 in student loans. History graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $21,642 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,127 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

6

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge earned the #6 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. History graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. History graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $37,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

7

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #7 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,000. Early-career history graduates make about $25,014. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

8

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University placed #8 among the best values for history. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $45,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

9

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University earned the #9 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #10 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $33,736. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

11

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay came in at #11 for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $31,059. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

12

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida came in at #12 for value in history this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,313. History graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $27,340 early in their careers. Set against $17,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

13

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #13 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,929 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $23,480. Set against $15,929 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

14

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University earned the #14 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for history graduates is $30,375. Early-career history graduates make about $29,619. That is a strong return on a $30,375 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.

15

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System earned the #15 position for value in history this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $56,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #16 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $31,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

17

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. History graduates carry a median of $22,562 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $33,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

18

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #18 spot for history value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. History graduates carry a median of $22,965 in student loans. History graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $27,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,965 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

19

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #19 for value in history this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $28,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

20

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama came in at #20 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,350. Early-career history graduates make about $27,927. Set against $19,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.

21

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #21 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $36,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

22

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University landed the #22 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. History graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $24,215. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

23

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #23 position for value in history this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,500. Early-career history graduates make about $35,025. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.

24

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

Fort Hays State University came in at #24 for value in history this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $49,775. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #25 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,750. Early-career history graduates make about $29,108. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.