Best Value History Colleges in Indiana

Notre Dame commands attention with its $27,823 net cost but delivers $45,529 in early career earnings, the highest among Indiana's History programs. This earnings premium reflects the university's alumni network strength in fields where historical analysis proves valuable. Meanwhile, Indiana University-Kokomo offers the state's most affordable path at just $6,276 net cost, though graduates earn $23,456 annually. The $21,547 earnings gap between the most and least expensive programs highlights how institutional prestige can translate to career outcomes. Indiana's economic market supports History graduates through organizations like the Indiana Historical Society and museums across Indianapolis. Major employers such as Eli Lilly value the research and communication skills that History majors develop. The state's 21st Century Scholars program helps qualifying students access these opportunities by covering tuition costs at public institutions, making programs like Indiana University-Bloomington more accessible despite their higher sticker prices.

Programs

$5,970 – $38,472

Net Price Range

$28,360

Avg. Program Earnings

60.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

36 History Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Indiana University-Kokomo Kokomo, Indiana	$6,276	$23,456	$8,179	44.7%	85.8%
2	Purdue University Northwest Hammond, Indiana	$8,463	$29,685	$8,419	44.0%	72.8%
3	Indiana University-South Bend South Bend, Indiana	$8,364	$21,964	$8,179	35.7%	86.9%
4	Indiana State University Terre Haute, Indiana	$12,188	$27,765	$9,992	41.1%	92.3%
5	Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$11,408	$25,967	$10,449	53.9%	82.9%
6	Ball State University Muncie, Indiana	$15,898	$31,708	$10,758	63.3%	69.0%
7	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana	$15,342	$30,228	$11,790	81.2%	82.4%
8	University of Southern Indiana Evansville, Indiana	$12,621	$24,808	$10,136	52.0%	94.4%
9	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana	$27,823	$45,529	$62,693	96.8%	12.9%
10	Wabash College Crawfordsville, Indiana	$21,906	$33,993	$49,125	77.1%	61.5%
11	Hanover College Hanover, Indiana	$21,826	$30,771	$42,894	63.6%	74.1%
12	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$18,771	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
13	Valparaiso University Valparaiso, Indiana	$21,583	$24,035	$46,588	67.0%	94.2%
14	Indiana University-East Richmond, Indiana	$9,082		$8,179	45.4%	77.6%
15	Anderson University Anderson, Indiana	$22,144		$35,640	49.4%	51.8%
16	Manchester University North Manchester, Indiana	$19,268		$37,090	44.8%	66.4%
17	Marian University Indianapolis, Indiana	$23,594		$39,100	60.9%	93.8%
18	Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, Indiana	$23,069		$31,168	66.3%	86.7%
19	Oakland City University Oakland City, Indiana	$12,820		$27,150	70.0%	55.7%
20	University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$20,361		$35,420	60.7%	98.1%
21	Saint Mary's College Notre Dame, Indiana	$28,552		$51,430	76.5%	83.9%
22	Taylor University Upland, Indiana	$24,327		$39,104	76.6%	74.6%
23	Bethel University Mishawaka, Indiana	$19,726		$33,320	57.2%	99.5%
24	Indiana University-Southeast New Albany, Indiana	$8,257		$8,179	33.4%	85.2%
25	Indiana University-Northwest Gary, Indiana	$5,970		$8,179	36.9%	80.3%
26	University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$18,748		$36,136	55.8%	76.1%
27	Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$11,513		$9,254	32.5%	80.7%
28	Huntington University Huntington, Indiana	$13,710		$29,982	68.2%	77.5%
29	Holy Cross College Notre Dame, Indiana	$26,470		$35,500	29.5%	76.2%
30	Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, Indiana	$18,406		$30,034	69.9%	84.6%
31	Goshen College Goshen, Indiana	$15,725		$37,760	60.5%	93.5%
32	Franklin College Franklin, Indiana	$22,762		$37,350	63.4%	92.9%
33	University of Evansville Evansville, Indiana	$20,230		$42,676	71.3%	76.3%
34	Earlham College Richmond, Indiana	$24,516		$51,840	67.9%	73.2%
35	DePauw University Greencastle, Indiana	$24,546		$57,070	80.0%	65.8%
36	Butler University Indianapolis, Indiana	$38,472		$45,980	80.2%	82.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Notre Dame's high earnings for History graduates compared to other Indiana schools?

Notre Dame History graduates earn $45,529 annually, significantly above the state average of $27,765 from schools like Indiana State University. The university's extensive alumni network and national reputation open doors to competitive positions in law, business, and government. Notre Dame's 96.80% graduation rate also indicates strong student support systems that contribute to career success.

How do public university costs compare for Indiana History programs?

Indiana University-Kokomo offers the lowest net cost at $6,276, while Purdue's main campus costs $13,945 despite similar in-state tuition rates. Ball State University falls in the middle at $15,898 net cost but produces graduates earning $31,708 annually. The variation reflects different financial aid packages and living costs across campus locations.

Is Indiana University-Bloomington worth the higher cost for History majors?

IU-Bloomington charges $15,342 net cost and graduates earn $30,228 annually with an 81.20% graduation rate. This compares favorably to lower-cost options like IU-South Bend at $8,364 net cost but only $21,964 in earnings. The flagship campus offers stronger alumni networks and research opportunities that justify the $6,978 cost difference.

Does graduation rate correlate with earnings for Indiana History programs?

Schools with higher graduation rates generally produce better-earning graduates, though exceptions exist. Notre Dame's 96.80% graduation rate pairs with $45,529 earnings, while Purdue's 83.10% rate yields only $18,771 in graduate earnings. Ball State achieves a middle ground with 63.30% graduation rate and $31,708 earnings, suggesting program quality varies beyond completion rates.

Where can Indiana History graduates find relevant employment opportunities?

Indiana's healthcare sector, anchored by employers like Indiana University Health and Eli Lilly, values History graduates for their research and analytical skills. The Indiana Historical Society and numerous museums throughout Indianapolis provide direct field opportunities. Government positions in the state capital also offer career paths that utilize historical research and communication abilities developed through these programs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.