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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong humanities education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 484 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value humanities schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Irvine Valley College, our #1 best value for humanities in the United States. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $5,754. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $5,754 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #2 place for humanities. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $37,149 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Grossmont College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
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College Of The Canyons placed #6 among the best values for humanities. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $7,750. Early-career humanities graduates make about $29,397. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Golden West College landed the #7 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #8 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $31,804. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College placed #9 among the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College came in at #10 for value in humanities this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Saddleback College earned the #11 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,914 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $16,740. That is a strong return on a $5,914 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #12 among the best values for humanities. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $5,500. Early-career humanities graduates make about $23,856. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #13 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $4,875. Humanities graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $33,015 early in their careers. Set against $4,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College placed #14 among the best values for humanities. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Pasadena City College landed the #15 spot for humanities value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $9,191. Humanities graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College earned the #16 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $6,800 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $30,117 early in their careers. Set against $6,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #17 for value in humanities this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $18,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #18 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College earned the #20 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #21 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $26,874. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College came in at #22 for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chabot College landed the #23 spot for humanities value this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $14,122. Humanities graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gavilan College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $5,939. Early-career humanities graduates make about $28,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,935. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. That is a strong return on a $8,935 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for humanities this year:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Humanities rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 484 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 92 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.