2026 Best Value Humanities Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Northridge the best value for a degree in humanities in the United States. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career humanities graduates make about $42,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

2

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,676 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $45,230. That is a strong return on a $30,676 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at University Of Houston Clear Lake, which ranked #3. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $21,100. Early-career humanities graduates make about $51,252. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

4

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $50,920. That is a strong return on a $6,195 median debt.

5

Towson University
Towson, MD

A rank of #5 makes Towson University one of the best values for humanities. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

6

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #6 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $20,531. Humanities graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $64,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #7 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $27,000. Early-career humanities graduates make about $64,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

8

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $13,426. Humanities graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

9

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #9 among the best values for humanities. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $19,052. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $94,745. That is a strong return on a $19,052 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $26,094. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

11

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #11 among the best values for humanities. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $17,921. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.

12

University Of Dallas
Irving, TX

University Of Dallas came in at #12 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,930. Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,411 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Dallas generally make around $58,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

13

Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH

Tiffin University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,790. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $30,977. Early-career humanities graduates make about $37,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tiffin University admits about 80% of applicants.

14

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania earned the #14 position for value in humanities this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $68,293. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.

15

University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond landed the #15 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,230. Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $53,815. That is a strong return on a $21,634 median debt. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.

16

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University earned the #16 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $13,296. Early-career humanities graduates make about $51,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

17

New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #17 position for value in humanities this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,787 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $40,856. That is a strong return on a $21,787 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.

18

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver earned the #18 position for value in humanities this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Humanities graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Humanities graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

19

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University earned the #19 position for value in humanities this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $66,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

20

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University landed the #20 spot for humanities value this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $20,712. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.

21

Tulane University Of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA

Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #21 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $22,077. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $54,082. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.