2027 Best Value Humanities Schools in New York
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value humanities schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Humanities Schools in New York
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
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among humanities schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Nassau Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. 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.
Ulster County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,666, with out-of-state students paying around $12,146. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Ulster County Community College earn a median of $24,015 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Monroe Community College earned it the #5 place for humanities. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Orange County Community College came in at #6 for value in humanities this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $20,630 early in their careers. Set against $10,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Greene Community College placed #7 among the best values for humanities. Set in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,048, with out-of-state students paying around $11,448. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,000. Humanities graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $28,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Students borrow a median of $10,046 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,046 median debt.
Niagara County Community College earned the #9 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $22,942. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College came in at #10 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,090 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $23,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Corning Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Corning Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Corning. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,534, while out-of-state students pay about $10,326. Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $26,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College landed the #12 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,764. Early-career humanities graduates make about $30,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Genesee Community College earned the #13 position for value in humanities this year. Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Batavia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,900, while out-of-state students pay about $6,500. Students borrow a median of $10,064 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $22,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sullivan County Community College came in at #14 for value in humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake, Sullivan County Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,468 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,132. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Sullivan County Community College generally make around $27,874. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Onondaga Community College came in at #15 for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,950 in student loans. 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.
Mohawk Valley Community College came in at #16 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. 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. Set against $11,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #17 position for value in humanities this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,833 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $44,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,833 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Schenectady County Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.
Dutchess Community College landed the #19 spot for humanities value this year. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,670, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,000. Humanities graduates of Dutchess Community College earn a median of $22,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Adirondack Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Queensbury, Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,844, compared with $9,616 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $31,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockland Community College came in at #21 for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,390 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $21,840. That is a strong return on a $8,390 median debt.
Cayuga County Community College earned the #22 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the town of Auburn, Cayuga County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,056, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,709.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #23 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Jamestown Community College came in at #24 for value in humanities this year. Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Jamestown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,280 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Jamestown Community College earn a median of $23,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clinton Community College came in at #25 for value in humanities this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Clinton Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,831 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,521. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Clinton Community College generally make around $25,319. Set against $11,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for humanities this year:
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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
