by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for history students.
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 Princeton University, our #1 best value for history in New Jersey. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. History graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. History graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $45,363 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Jersey City University earned it the #2 place for history. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Students borrow a median of $25,629 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $40,919. Set against $25,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Kean University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Kean University earn a median of $34,934 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $31,607. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. History graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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Rutgers University Camden landed the #6 spot for history value this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Students borrow a median of $21,728 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $34,333 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark landed the #7 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,728. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $34,333. Set against $21,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #8 among the best values for history. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $28,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #9 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $33,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University earned the #10 position for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $25,500. History graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $35,150 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,728. History graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $34,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,728 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $25,000. History graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Drew University placed #13 among the best values for history. Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,100. History graduates carry a median of $26,449 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $34,305. Set against $26,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Seton Hall University came in at #14 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. History graduates carry a median of $23,433 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $63,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
Monmouth University placed #15 among the best values for history. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $48,482. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
