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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value History Schools in North Carolina

12 Colleges in the United States
$21,922 Avg Student Debt
$61,153 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value History Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools to find the best return on investment for history students.

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2026 Best Value History Schools in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in history, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value History Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in history in North Carolina. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. History graduates carry a median of $14,838 in student loans. History graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $34,592 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,838 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Carolina University earned it the #2 place for history. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,004 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $34,909. Set against $24,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

3

Fayetteville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. History graduates carry a median of $27,869 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $41,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned it the #4 place for history. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $27,241 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

5

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $27,099. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #6 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for history graduates is $24,457. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $33,791. That is a strong return on a $24,457 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.

7

University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #7 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $16,690. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $28,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.

8

Appalachian State University placed #8 among the best values for history. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,400 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $28,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

9
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College earned the #9 position for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,906. Early-career history graduates make about $41,505. That is a strong return on a $19,906 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.

10

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #10 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,800. Early-career history graduates make about $28,658. That is a strong return on a $19,800 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

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11

East Carolina University earned the #11 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for history graduates is $27,000. History graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $33,219 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

12

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #12 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $25,047. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.

13
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University landed the #13 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,000. History graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.

14
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University earned the #14 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $60,750. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.

15

Elon University landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Students from in state pay about $46,958 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. History graduates of Elon University earn a median of $50,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,619 median debt. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 47 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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