2026 Best Value History Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Our analysis ranked Texas A And M International University the best value for a degree in history in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. History graduates carry a median of $18,107 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $29,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.

2

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #2 place for history. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. History graduates carry a median of $15,230 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $15,230 median debt.

3

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #3 place for history. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. History graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. History graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #4 place for history. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK

A rank of #5 makes Oklahoma City Community College one of the best values for history. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $13,919 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $18,125 to complete the history program here. History graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,081 early in their careers. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

7

Houston Community College
Houston, TX

Houston Community College placed #7 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,223. History graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University landed the #8 spot for history value this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,267 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $31,159. Set against $19,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.

9

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University placed #9 among the best values for history. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for history graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

10

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for history value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $19,026. Early-career history graduates make about $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

11

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. History graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $57,239. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

12

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System came in at #12 for value in history this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #13 among the best values for history. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,562 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $33,264. Set against $22,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

14

Tyler Junior College
Tyler, TX

Tyler Junior College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #15 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $30,230. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

16

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University earned the #16 position for value in history this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

17

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for history graduates is $25,088. History graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

18

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #18 position for value in history this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,796. Early-career history graduates make about $24,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.

19

Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,165. History graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $49,353 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,165 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.

20

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University came in at #20 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for history graduates is $30,500. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,250. Early-career history graduates make about $39,240. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

22

Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University came in at #22 for value in history this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,344 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $34,519 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

23

Texas A And M University San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #23 for value in history this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $33,392 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.

24

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $28,513 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $46,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

25

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. History graduates carry a median of $22,680 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $36,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.