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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value humanities schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in humanities, no school beat Lansing Community College this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,264 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $27,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,264 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Kellogg Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Students borrow a median of $15,057 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glen Oaks Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Glen Oaks Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Centreville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $6,624. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $13,764. Humanities graduates of Glen Oaks Community College earn a median of $27,987 early in their careers. Set against $13,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. 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. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at University Of Michigan Dearborn, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Kirtland Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Grayling. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $25,088. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Siena Heights University landed the #7 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Siena Heights University admits about 69% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #8 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $30,916. That is a strong return on a $27,312 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Lawrence Technological University came in at #9 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,760. Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $74,924. Set against $27,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.