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Cheapest History Colleges in Indiana

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Purdue's main campus delivers the most surprising value in Indiana History education, offering graduates median earnings of just $18,771 despite its 83.10% graduation rate and competitive 52.70% acceptance rate. The state's regional campuses dominate the affordability market, with Indiana University-Northwest leading at $5,970 net cost and IU-Kokomo following at $6,276. This pattern reflects Indiana's commitment to accessible higher education through its extensive public university system. History graduates in Indiana find opportunities within the state's major healthcare networks like Indiana University Health, where research and administrative roles value analytical and communication skills. Manufacturing giants like Cummins also employ history majors in corporate communications and human resources. The 21st Century Scholars program further reduces costs for qualifying students, making these already affordable programs even more accessible. Private institutions like Oakland City University achieve remarkable 70% graduation rates but at significantly higher net costs around $12,820.
36
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 In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
2 $6,276 $8,179 44.7% 85.8%
3 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
4 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
5 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
6 $9,082 $8,179 45.4% 77.6%
7 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
8 $11,513 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
9 $12,188 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
10 $12,621 $10,136 52.0% 94.4%
11 $12,820 $27,150 70.0% 55.7%
12 $13,710 $29,982 68.2% 77.5%
13 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
14 $15,342 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%
15 $15,725 $37,760 60.5% 93.5%
16 $15,898 $10,758 63.3% 69.0%
17 $18,406 $30,034 69.9% 84.6%
18 $18,748 $36,136 55.8% 76.1%
19 $19,268 $37,090 44.8% 66.4%
20 $19,726 $33,320 57.2% 99.5%
21 $20,230 $42,676 71.3% 76.3%
22 $20,361 $35,420 60.7% 98.1%
23 $21,583 $46,588 67.0% 94.2%
24 $21,826 $42,894 63.6% 74.1%
25 $21,906 $49,125 77.1% 61.5%
26 $22,144 $35,640 49.4% 51.8%
27 $22,762 $37,350 63.4% 92.9%
28 $23,069 $31,168 66.3% 86.7%
29 $23,594 $39,100 60.9% 93.8%
30 $24,327 $39,104 76.6% 74.6%
31 $24,516 $51,840 67.9% 73.2%
32 $24,546 $57,070 80.0% 65.8%
33 $26,470 $35,500 29.5% 76.2%
34 $27,823 $62,693 96.8% 12.9%
35 $28,552 $51,430 76.5% 83.9%
36 $38,472 $45,980 80.2% 82.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $18,771 median earnings at Purdue's main campus despite its strong reputation?

Purdue's History program shows lower initial earnings compared to other majors at the university, with graduates earning $18,771 within two years. However, the program maintains an 83.10% graduation rate, suggesting strong academic support. The lower earnings likely reflect entry-level positions in education, nonprofit work, or graduate school preparation. Many history graduates pursue additional education or transition into higher-paying fields after gaining experience.

How do Indiana's regional campuses compare to the main state universities for History costs?

Regional campuses offer substantially lower costs, with IU-Northwest at $5,970 and IU-Kokomo at $6,276 compared to IU-Bloomington at $15,342. These regional options maintain respectable graduation rates, with IU-Kokomo achieving 44.70% and IU-East reaching 45.40%. However, earnings data shows IU-Bloomington graduates earning $30,228 compared to $23,456 at IU-Kokomo. The cost savings at regional campuses can exceed $9,000 annually while still providing quality education.

Is the 21st Century Scholars program worth pursuing for History majors?

The 21st Century Scholars program covers full tuition at public institutions, potentially saving students over $11,000 annually at schools like IU-Bloomington. For qualifying students, this transforms the $15,342 net cost into primarily room, board, and fees. Even at regional campuses where base costs start around $6,000, the scholarship eliminates the largest expense component. History majors benefit significantly since the field often requires graduate study, making undergraduate debt reduction important.

Does attending a private college in Indiana provide better History program outcomes?

Private institutions like Huntington University show graduation rates of 68.20% compared to public averages around 40-50%, but at nearly double the cost at $13,710 net price. Oakland City University achieves an impressive 70% graduation rate but lacks earnings data for comparison. The higher graduation rates suggest more personalized attention and support systems. However, the significant cost difference requires careful consideration of career goals and financial circumstances.

Where do Indiana History graduates typically find employment in the state?

Major employers like Eli Lilly hire history graduates for corporate communications, regulatory affairs, and training roles, while Indiana University Health offers positions in medical writing and administrative research. Manufacturing companies like Cummins value history majors for their analytical skills in human resources and corporate development. State and local government positions throughout Indiana also actively recruit history graduates for policy analysis and public administration roles. The median debt load of $19,975 to $25,000 at major universities remains manageable for these career paths.

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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.