2026 Best Value History Schools in the New England Region

1

Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Our analysis ranked Williams College the best value for a degree in history in the New England Region. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. History graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans. History graduates of Williams College earn a median of $53,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.

2

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for history graduates is $12,721. Early-career history graduates make about $53,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

3

Amherst College
Amherst, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amherst College earned it the #3 place for history. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. History graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. History graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $56,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,398 median debt. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.

4

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

A rank of #4 makes Capital Community College one of the best values for history. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. History graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.

5

Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Worcester State University, which ranked #5. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $24,610 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $38,028. Set against $24,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.

6

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine placed #6 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. History graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $36,876 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

7

Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $23,604 in student loans. History graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $30,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.

8

Framingham State University
Framingham, MA

Framingham State University came in at #8 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $34,836. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

9

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College placed #9 among the best values for history. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $24,141 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $31,981. That is a strong return on a $24,141 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

10

Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University placed #10 among the best values for history. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. History graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $34,215 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

11

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Salem State University came in at #11 for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $29,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

12

Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College earned the #12 position for value in history this year. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,658. History graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $58,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants.

13

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,862. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $46,908. That is a strong return on a $24,862 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

14

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island placed #14 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,469. Early-career history graduates make about $34,319. Set against $21,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #15 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,250. History graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $27,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.

16

Westfield State University
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University came in at #16 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. History graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $24,879. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

17

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

University Of Maine came in at #17 for value in history this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $31,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.

18

Plymouth State University
Plymouth, NH

Plymouth State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Students borrow a median of $26,972 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $45,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

19

Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, CT

Western Connecticut State University earned the #19 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,401, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of $47,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

20

University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont earned the #20 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for history graduates is $20,497. Early-career history graduates make about $28,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

21

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #21 for value in history this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $30,581 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

22

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT

Southern Connecticut State University placed #22 among the best values for history. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. History graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. History graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $34,858 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.

23

Colby College
Waterville, ME

Colby College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,600. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,016. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. That is a strong return on a $22,016 median debt. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.

24

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut came in at #24 for value in history this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. History graduates carry a median of $22,470 in student loans. History graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $27,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,470 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.

25

Keene State College
Keene, NH

Keene State College landed the #25 spot for history value this year. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,342. Early-career history graduates make about $41,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.