Humanities degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 159 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for humanities students pursuing a degree.
Where you study humanities matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Humanities rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Humanities Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
The University Of Texas At Austin tops our 2027 ranking of the best humanities schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 23 humanities degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $69,994 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,052 to complete this degree.
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Yale University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Yale University awarded about 24 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Humanities graduates of Yale University earn a median of $61,133 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong humanities program will find one at Georgetown University, which ranked #3. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Humanities graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $66,719 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in humanities, ranking #4. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 22 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their humanities degree from Harvard University earn around $54,555 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $20,126 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong humanities program will find one at University Of Colorado Boulder, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent data year. Humanities graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans.
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University Of Arizona landed the #6 spot for humanities this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 90 humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their humanities degree from University Of Arizona earn around $50,834 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete this degree.
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New York University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best humanities schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 humanities students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their humanities degree from New York University earn around $39,652 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,787.
See the full humanities program report for New York University
University Of Chicago landed the #8 spot for humanities this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 137 humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $26,094 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
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Seton Hall University came in at #9 for humanities this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Orange. Seton Hall University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 72 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Seton Hall University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $36,993. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full humanities program report for Seton Hall University
University Of Central Florida ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 12 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $48,391 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,135 to complete this degree.
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Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best humanities schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 150 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $80,047 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree.
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Florida State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best humanities schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 73 humanities degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their humanities degree from Florida State University earn around $35,361 in the first couple years of their career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $21,349 in student loans.
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California State University Chico placed #13 among the best humanities schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Chico awarded about 12 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $27,196 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
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California State University Sacramento came in at #14 for humanities this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 12 humanities degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Humanities graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $30,286 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in humanities from California State University Sacramento
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #15 position for humanities this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 53 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their humanities degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $79,921 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $17,917 in student loans.
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California State University Monterey Bay earned the #16 position for humanities this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Seaside. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 92 humanities degrees were awarded at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent year. Students who receive their humanities degree from California State University Monterey Bay earn around $30,413 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750.
More information about a degree in humanities from California State University Monterey Bay
California State University Northridge placed #17 among the best humanities schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Northridge awarded about 23 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $37,941. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
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Salve Regina University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best humanities schools. Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Newport. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Salve Regina University awarded about 13 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their humanities degree from Salve Regina University earn around $56,636 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #19 for humanities this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 15 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Humanities graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $55,222 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Denver placed #20 among the best humanities schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Denver. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. Humanities graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
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Grossmont College placed #21 among the best humanities schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of El Cajon. There were roughly 149 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Grossmont College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in humanities from Grossmont College
San Francisco State University earned the #22 position for humanities this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 11 humanities degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $32,112 in their early career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $15,467 in student loans.
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University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #23 position for humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 18 humanities degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $45,230 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,676 to complete this degree.
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San Diego Miramar College landed the #24 spot for humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. About 22 humanities degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Students who receive their humanities degree from San Diego Miramar College earn around $31,804 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #25 position for humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $32,604. Typical student debt for the program is $20,784.
More information about a degree in humanities from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong humanities education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 159 schools evaluated.
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).
