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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for humanities students.
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.
Leading the list is Lee College, our #1 best value for humanities in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Students borrow a median of $8,476 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $53,448. Set against $8,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $34,626. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
St Philips College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,951 in student loans. Humanities graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,951 median debt.
Northwest Vista College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Northwest Vista College generally make around $29,349. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Rio Salado College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #6 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,419. Early-career humanities graduates make about $34,397. That is a strong return on a $24,419 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Cochise College placed #7 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $9,957 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $40,712. Set against $9,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blinn College landed the #8 spot for humanities value this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $27,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.
Texarkana College earned the #10 position for value in humanities this year. Texarkana College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. Students from in state pay about $2,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Students borrow a median of $12,957 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Texarkana College generally make around $23,458. Set against $12,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College came in at #11 for value in humanities this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $51,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College came in at #12 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $46,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Santa Fe Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Santa Fe Community College earn a median of $51,935 early in their careers. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #14 position for value in humanities this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #15 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $10,986. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #16 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $6,625. Early-career humanities graduates make about $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #17 for value in humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #18 spot for humanities value this year. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,736. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $50,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University placed #19 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Humanities graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #20 for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $55,222. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
South Mountain Community College earned the #21 position for value in humanities this year. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $51,252. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,605 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $26,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Arizona ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value humanities schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #25 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $19,052. Humanities graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $69,994 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in humanities:
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.