2027 Best Value Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 107 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Humanities Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Humanities Schools
Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for humanities in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $12,678. Early-career humanities graduates make about $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $48,437. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,236. Humanities graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $35,482 early in their careers. Set against $24,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Utah Valley University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,458 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $44,366 early in their careers. Set against $21,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,453 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $33,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,453 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $30,286. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $30,676 in student loans. Humanities graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $45,230 early in their careers. Set against $30,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System placed #8 among the best values for humanities. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,265 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $62,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,135 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $48,391. That is a strong return on a $15,135 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida earned the #10 position for value in humanities this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,125. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $31,140. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Florida State University earned the #11 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,349 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #12 among the best values for humanities. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,731 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $29,803 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Marshall University came in at #13 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,248 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $32,282 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #14 position for value in humanities this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,419. Early-career humanities graduates make about $34,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #15 among the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,323 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $30,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East earned the #16 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $29,072. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $39,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,833 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $44,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,833 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
San Francisco State University landed the #18 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,467 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $32,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kapolei. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,584, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $18,952. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Hawaii West Oahu generally make around $29,588. Set against $18,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #20 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $20,728. Humanities graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $38,065 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #21 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #22 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #23 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $32,609 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Georgia Southwestern State University came in at #24 for value in humanities this year. Located in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $28,245. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Georgia Southwestern State University generally make around $52,428. Set against $28,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southwestern State University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Chicago earned the #25 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,854. Early-career humanities graduates make about $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for humanities this year:
Other Humanities Degree Levels
Explore the best-value humanities schools at other degree levels:
View All Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 107 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 107 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
