by our College Data Analytics Team
[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:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Rappahannock Community College earned the #1 spot for value among humanities schools in the Southeast Region. Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Glenns. Students from in state pay about $5,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,792 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $43,398. That is a strong return on a $6,792 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes John Tyler Community College one of the best values for humanities. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,055 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $25,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,055 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Eastern Shore Community College one of the best values for humanities. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $32,418 ten years out.
A rank of #4 makes J Sargeant Reynolds Community College one of the best values for humanities. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Humanities graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $27,924 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,227. Humanities graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Western Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,988 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $22,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #7 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,865. Early-career humanities graduates make about $37,531. Set against $8,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College placed #8 among the best values for humanities. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Southside Virginia Community College generally make around $23,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College landed the #9 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.
The University Of West Florida earned the #10 position for value in humanities this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,125. Early-career humanities graduates make about $31,140. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System landed the #11 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $6,195. Early-career humanities graduates make about $55,029. Set against $6,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida landed the #12 spot for humanities value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,135. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $48,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,676 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $45,230 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College landed the #14 spot for humanities value this year. Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,752, compared with $8,808 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $17,500. Humanities graduates of Blue Ridge Community And Technical College earn a median of $41,032 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Virginia Highlands Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Virginia Highlands Community College earn a median of $16,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Students borrow a median of $9,325 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $29,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University earned the #17 position for value in humanities this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $21,349. Humanities graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $35,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #18 for value in humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $5,500. Humanities graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,756 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $28,249 early in their careers. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $10,600. Early-career humanities graduates make about $25,746. That is a strong return on a $10,600 median debt.
Thomas Nelson Community College placed #21 among the best values for humanities. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,165 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $31,228 early in their careers. Set against $8,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Community College came in at #22 for value in humanities this year. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,992, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Students borrow a median of $9,199 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $44,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University landed the #23 spot for humanities value this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $29,248 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $32,282 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southwestern State University placed #24 among the best values for humanities. Located in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,245 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $52,428. Set against $28,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Tidewater Community College placed #25 among the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,971 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $29,491. That is a strong return on a $12,971 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s humanities value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.