2027 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong humanities education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Humanities Schools
Leading the list is Richland Community College, our #1 best value for humanities in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,125 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,000. Humanities graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $28,760 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,060 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $26,257. That is a strong return on a $12,060 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Indiana University Kokomo, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,236. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $35,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Lansing Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $11,264 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College earned the #6 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,057 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,057 median debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,728 to complete the humanities program here. 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. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus landed the #8 spot for humanities value this year. Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,825. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus came in at #9 for value in humanities this year. Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,614. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,825. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus generally make around $35,825. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #11 position for value in humanities this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,485. 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. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Indiana University East landed the #12 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #13 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $19,000. Early-career humanities graduates make about $54,436. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $32,609. 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.
Glen Oaks Community College landed the #15 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Centreville, Glen Oaks Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $6,624. Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,764 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $27,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $17,917 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $79,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago came in at #17 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $26,094. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Kirtland Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Grayling, Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Kirtland Community College generally make around $50,469. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Hamilton came in at #19 for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $45,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami University Middletown earned the #20 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Miami University Middletown is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Miami University Middletown generally make around $46,400. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #21 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $27,078. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $28,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #22 position for value in humanities this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Northwest State Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Archbold. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,698, compared with $9,170 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,730. Humanities graduates of Northwest State Community College earn a median of $45,123 early in their careers. Set against $8,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Siena Heights University landed the #24 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,778. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $27,137. Humanities graduates of Siena Heights University earn a median of $52,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Bethel College Mishawaka came in at #25 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of $44,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Bethel College Mishawaka admits about 98% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for humanities this year:
Narrow Humanities Schools by State
View All Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
