2026 Best Value Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 484 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for humanities students.
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2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Humanities Schools
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among humanities schools 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. 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. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,453. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,453 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for humanities. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Kokomo earned it the #4 place for humanities. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,236 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,482. That is a strong return on a $24,236 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of West Florida one of the best values for humanities. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,125. Early-career humanities graduates make about $31,140. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
American Public University System placed #6 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.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #7 position for value in humanities this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. 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. Set against $10,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #8 among the best values for humanities. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,135. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $48,391. Set against $15,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University earned the #9 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,458 median debt.
California State University Sacramento earned the #10 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,000. Early-career humanities graduates make about $30,286. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #11 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $30,676. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $45,230. Set against $30,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Florida State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,349 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,361. Set against $21,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #13 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $24,833 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. Set against $24,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #14 for value in humanities this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $51,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #15 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Humanities graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $30,437. That is a strong return on a $16,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Marshall University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $29,248. Humanities graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $32,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,248 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #18 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,419 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $34,397. That is a strong return on a $24,419 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $16,323. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $30,437. Set against $16,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #20 among the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $60,324. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #21 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,072 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $39,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu earned the #23 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,584 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,544. Humanities graduates carry a median of $18,952 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $29,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University earned the #24 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Mcneese State University came in at #25 for value in humanities this year. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $35,282. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Humanities Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s humanities value ranking:
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), 2026 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 · 484 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
