2026 Best Value Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among humanities schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,453. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,453 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

3

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for humanities. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Kokomo earned it the #4 place for humanities. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,236 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,482. That is a strong return on a $24,236 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

5

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

A rank of #5 makes The University Of West Florida one of the best values for humanities. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,125. Early-career humanities graduates make about $31,140. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

6

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System placed #6 among the best values for humanities. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,265 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $62,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #7 position for value in humanities this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,731 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $29,803 early in their careers. Set against $10,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

8

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida placed #8 among the best values for humanities. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,135. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $48,391. Set against $15,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

9

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University earned the #9 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,458 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $44,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,458 median debt.

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #10 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,000. Early-career humanities graduates make about $30,286. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

11

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #11 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $30,676. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $45,230. Set against $30,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

12

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,349 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,361. Set against $21,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

13

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #13 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $24,833 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. Set against $24,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #14 for value in humanities this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $51,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

15

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #15 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Humanities graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.

16

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $30,437. That is a strong return on a $16,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

17

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $29,248. Humanities graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $32,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,248 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

18

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #18 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,419 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $34,397. That is a strong return on a $24,419 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

19

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $16,323. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $30,437. Set against $16,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

20

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #20 among the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $60,324. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

21

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #21 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,467 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $32,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

22

Indiana University East
Richmond, IN

Indiana University East ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,072 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $39,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Hawaii West Oahu
Kapolei, HI

University Of Hawaii West Oahu earned the #23 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,584 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,544. Humanities graduates carry a median of $18,952 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $29,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

24

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #24 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.

25

Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA

Mcneese State University came in at #25 for value in humanities this year. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $35,282. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.