2027 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 61 schools to find the best return on investment for humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
For return on investment in humanities, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nassau Community College earned it the #3 place for humanities. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,000. Humanities graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Ulster County Community College one of the best values for humanities. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,750. Early-career humanities graduates make about $24,015. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Montgomery College earned the #6 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $9,500. Humanities graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $20,217 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $10,625. Early-career humanities graduates make about $20,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College placed #8 among the best values for humanities. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,426 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $24,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #9 spot for humanities value this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,046 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Set against $10,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #10 for value in humanities this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $30,417. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Greene Community College placed #11 among the best values for humanities. Set in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,048, compared with $11,448 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 Columbia Greene Community College generally make around $28,342. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College landed the #12 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,090 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $23,608. That is a strong return on a $10,090 median debt.
Niagara County Community College earned the #13 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $22,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Corning Community College came in at #14 for value in humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Corning, Corning Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,534, while out-of-state students pay about $10,326. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $12,000. Early-career humanities graduates make about $26,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Genesee Community College landed the #15 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,900, compared with $6,500 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,064 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Genesee Community College earn a median of $22,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $24,833 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. Set against $24,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Mohawk Valley Community College earned the #17 position for value in humanities this year. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $23,618. That is a strong return on a $11,100 median debt.
Sullivan County Community College placed #18 among the best values for humanities. Sullivan County Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,468, while out-of-state students pay about $12,132. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,000. Humanities graduates of Sullivan County Community College earn a median of $27,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College earned the #19 position for value in humanities this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $10,950. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $22,966. That is a strong return on a $10,950 median debt.
Frederick Community College placed #20 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schenectady County Community College placed #21 among the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #22 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Rockland Community College landed the #23 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,862. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,390. Early-career humanities graduates make about $21,840. Set against $8,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Adirondack Community College placed #24 among the best values for humanities. Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Queensbury. In-state tuition and fees average $6,844, while out-of-state students pay about $9,616. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $14,075. Early-career humanities graduates make about $31,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dutchess Community College landed the #25 spot for humanities value this year. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Students from in state pay about $5,670 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,670 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $22,095. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for humanities this year:
Narrow Humanities Schools by State
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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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
