by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for humanities students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in humanities, no school beat Bristol Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $37,897. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Harvard University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,126 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $54,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,126 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern Maine one of the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $47,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Nashua Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Nashua Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Nashua. In-state tuition and fees average $7,140, compared with $15,390 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $18,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at University Of Maine, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,166 in student loans. Humanities graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $34,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,742 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Set against $25,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University earned the #7 position for value in humanities this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $61,133. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Salve Regina University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Newport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,100. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $27,000. Humanities graduates of Salve Regina University earn a median of $56,636 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salve Regina University admits about 68% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.