2027 Best Value Humanities Schools in Pennsylvania
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Humanities Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Humanities Schools
Bucks County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among humanities schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $10,426. Humanities graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $24,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,426 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Luzerne County Community College earned it the #2 place for humanities. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,750. Humanities graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $25,339 early in their careers. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Vincent College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,396. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $26,986. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $54,916. That is a strong return on a $26,986 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for humanities. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $16,155. Humanities graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Temple University earned it the #5 place for humanities. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Humanities graduates carry a median of $34,372 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $35,205. Set against $34,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #6 for value in humanities this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Humanities graduates carry a median of $28,467 in student loans. Humanities graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Set against $28,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $50,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Drexel University landed the #8 spot for humanities value this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $27,154. Humanities graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $62,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,154 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Villanova University earned the #9 position for value in humanities this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $52,183 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
