by our College Data Analytics Team
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong humanities education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 228 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value humanities schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #1 spot for value among humanities schools in the United States. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $5,500. Early-career humanities graduates make about $37,149. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #2. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
A rank of #3 makes Irvine Valley College one of the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $5,754. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $5,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Skyline College one of the best values for humanities. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,800 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $30,117. That is a strong return on a $6,800 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #6 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $32,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College came in at #7 for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #8 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $5,500. Early-career humanities graduates make about $23,856. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
College Of The Canyons placed #9 among the best values for humanities. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $29,397. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Grossmont College placed #10 among the best values for humanities. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Modesto Junior College earned the #11 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $7,373. Early-career humanities graduates make about $28,387. Set against $7,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #12 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #13 spot for humanities value this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $31,804. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #15 for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,000. Humanities graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College earned the #16 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College placed #17 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Cerritos College placed #18 among the best values for humanities. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, 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. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #19 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $5,914. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $16,740. That is a strong return on a $5,914 median debt.
Clovis Community College Fresno ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #21 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College placed #22 among the best values for humanities. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $9,500. Early-career humanities graduates make about $20,031. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College landed the #23 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #25 for value in humanities this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $28,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in humanities:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Humanities rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 228 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 228 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.