[Classical & Ancient Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/classical-ancient-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value classical & ancient studies schools.
Finding the Best Value Classical & Ancient Studies School for You
The right classical & ancient studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Classical & Ancient Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Classical & Ancient Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
University Of California Berkeley tops our 2027 list of the best value classical & ancient studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the classical & ancient studies program here. Early-career classical & ancient studies graduates make about $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value classical & ancient studies schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the classical & ancient studies program here. Early-career classical & ancient studies graduates make about $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Vanderbilt University earned it the #3 place for classical & ancient studies. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Classical & Ancient Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, classical & ancient studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in classical & ancient studies will find it at Missouri State University Springfield, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the classical & ancient studies program here. Classical & Ancient Studies graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #5 place for classical & ancient studies. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the classical & ancient studies program here. Soon after graduation, classical & ancient studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Narrow Classical & Ancient Studies Schools by Region
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
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).