by our College Data Analytics Team
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 330 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for humanities students.
What’s on this page:
The humanities program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Humanities Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Humanities Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in humanities, no school beat Oxnard College this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santiago Canyon College earned it the #2 place for humanities. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $6,500. Early-career humanities graduates make about $31,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College came in at #6 for value in humanities this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #7 for value in humanities this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #8 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $32,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
College Of The Canyons placed #9 among the best values for humanities. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $29,142. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $7,014. Early-career humanities graduates make about $28,950. That is a strong return on a $7,014 median debt.
Cerritos College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $18,208 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $23,856. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #13 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College placed #14 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Students borrow a median of $7,219 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $27,186. That is a strong return on a $7,219 median debt.
Grossmont College earned the #15 position for value in humanities this year. Grossmont College is a very large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Ventura College placed #16 among the best values for humanities. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $20,250. Humanities graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #17 for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #18 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
West Valley College landed the #19 spot for humanities value this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College came in at #20 for value in humanities this year. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $17,223. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College came in at #22 for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $20,031. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Canada College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,000. Humanities graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Clovis Community College Fresno earned the #24 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students.
Folsom Lake College earned the #25 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
These schools also delivered strong value for humanities this year:
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in humanities:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | De Anza College | Cupertino, CA | Full Report |
| #52 | St Philips College | San Antonio, TX | Full Report |
| #53 | Germanna Community College | Locust Grove, VA | Full Report |
| #54 | Lord Fairfax Community College | Middletown, VA | Full Report |
| #55 | Butte College | Oroville, CA | Full Report |
| #56 | Northwest Vista College | San Antonio, TX | Full Report |
| #57 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | Full Report |
| #58 | Allan Hancock College | Santa Maria, CA | Full Report |
| #59 | Eastern Shore Community College | Melfa, VA | Full Report |
| #60 | El Camino Community College District | Torrance, CA | Full Report |
| #61 | Nassau Community College | Garden City, NY | Full Report |
| #62 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Richmond, VA | Full Report |
| #63 | Rappahannock Community College | Glenns, VA | Full Report |
| #64 | Fullerton College | Fullerton, CA | Full Report |
| #65 | Gavilan College | Gilroy, CA | Full Report |
| #66 | Ulster County Community College | Stone Ridge, NY | Full Report |
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Humanities. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 330 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 330 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.