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. 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 21 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Eastern Shore Community College this year. Set in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rappahannock Community College earned it the #2 place for humanities. Set in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,540. Students borrow a median of $6,792 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Rappahannock Community College earn a median of $43,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,792 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Dabney S Lancaster Community College, which ranked #3. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #4 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. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,988 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $22,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned it the #5 place for humanities. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. 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. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $27,924. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Southside Virginia Community College landed the #6 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $23,346. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
John Tyler Community College came in at #7 for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $9,055. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $25,346. That is a strong return on a $9,055 median debt.
Germanna Community College landed the #8 spot for humanities value this year. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,227 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Highlands Community College came in at #9 for value in humanities this year. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Virginia Highlands Community College generally make around $16,365. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College placed #10 among the best values for humanities. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $9,325. 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.
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #11 for value in humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. Set against $8,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $23,756. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College ranked #13 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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,600 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $25,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College landed the #14 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $9,199. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $44,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #15 position for value in humanities this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,165 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $31,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #16 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $28,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #17 spot for humanities value this year. Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Stone Gap. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $36,988. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Tidewater Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,971 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $29,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,971 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earned the #19 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,625. Humanities graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $24,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George Mason University earned the #20 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $41,398. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Richmond earned the #21 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $21,634. Humanities graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $53,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 22%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.