2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in Washington

[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value humanities schools.
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2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in Washington
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 University Of Washington Tacoma Campus, our #1 best value for humanities in Washington. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $16,323. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $30,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Washington Bothell Campus one of the best values for humanities. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washington State University earned it the #3 place for humanities. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $22,881. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $40,061. That is a strong return on a $22,881 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Western Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,361 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $41,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,361 median debt. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Seattle University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $35,398. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seattle University admits about 77% of applicants.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.