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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for humanities students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among humanities schools in Ohio. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $28,760. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Lorain County Community College one of the best values for humanities. 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. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $12,060. Humanities graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $26,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,060 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Ohio University Lancaster Campus, which ranked #3. Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lancaster. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Ohio University Lancaster Campus earn a median of $35,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,614. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus generally make around $35,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami University Middletown placed #6 among the best values for humanities. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Miami University Middletown is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,250. Humanities graduates of Miami University Middletown earn a median of $46,400 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Hamilton placed #7 among the best values for humanities. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,250. Humanities graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $45,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #8 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $27,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Northwest State Community College placed #9 among the best values for humanities. Located in the rural area of Archbold, Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $9,170. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,730 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $45,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Terra State Community College landed the #10 spot for humanities value this year. Terra State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fremont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,544. Students borrow a median of $24,095 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Terra State Community College earn a median of $63,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,095 median debt.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #11 for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $26,232 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $38,087. Set against $26,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,614. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $35,825. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $20,199. Humanities graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $43,602 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,199 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #14 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $20,784 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $32,604. That is a strong return on a $20,784 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Tiffin University earned the #15 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,790 in tuition and fees. Humanities graduates carry a median of $30,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $37,484. That is a strong return on a $30,977 median debt. Tiffin University admits about 80% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.