by our College Data Analytics Team
[History](/majors/history/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 86 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.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among history schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Bucks County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $13,068. Early-career history graduates make about $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Pennsylvania Western University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned it the #4 place for history. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned it the #5 place for history. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. History graduates carry a median of $29,250 in student loans. History graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $32,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
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East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 for value in history this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $27,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in history this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $40,260. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #8 position for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $30,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #10 position for value in history this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. History graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,761 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Albright College earned the #11 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,082. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Albright College generally make around $19,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Vincent College came in at #12 for value in history this year. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,396. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. History graduates of Saint Vincent College earn a median of $54,916 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Haverford College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Haverford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. History graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $34,460 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Robert Morris University landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. Students from in state pay about $35,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,748 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $58,900. That is a strong return on a $26,748 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Susquehanna University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Selinsgrove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $39,097. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Mercyhurst College landed the #17 spot for history value this year. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,770. History graduates carry a median of $25,705 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Mercyhurst College generally make around $46,009. Set against $25,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Temple University landed the #18 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. History graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $33,586. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,500. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $48,472. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,400 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $29,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Muhlenberg College placed #21 among the best values for history. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. In-state tuition and fees average $62,805. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,259. Early-career history graduates make about $35,641. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Gettysburg College came in at #22 for value in history this year. Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Gettysburg. Students from in state pay about $66,640 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. History graduates of Gettysburg College earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Ursinus College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,061 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Ursinus College earn a median of $36,805 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #24 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $59,003. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Scranton ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. History graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $26,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Scranton admits about 81% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for history this year:
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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 · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.