2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Far Western Region
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 149 schools to find the best return on investment for humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Humanities Schools
San Diego Miramar College tops our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools in the Far Western Region. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $31,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Skyline College one of the best values for humanities. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #3. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
A rank of #4 makes Irvine Valley College one of the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the humanities program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $33,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College placed #6 among the best values for humanities. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #7 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $23,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #8 for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $7,750. Early-career humanities graduates make about $29,142. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Moorpark College earned the #9 position for value in humanities this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. 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.
Grossmont College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Cerritos College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $18,208 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College placed #12 among the best values for humanities. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Golden West College earned the #13 position for value in humanities this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the humanities program here. 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.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #14 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $5,500. Humanities graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College earned the #15 position for value in humanities this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $5,707. Humanities graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $18,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Norco College earned the #17 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College landed the #18 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,434 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $29,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College placed #19 among the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Imperial Valley College landed the #20 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $6,176. Early-career humanities graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Reedley College came in at #21 for value in humanities this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Moreno Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $24,046 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College earned the #23 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College landed the #24 spot for humanities value this year. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. 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.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #25 for value in humanities this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,453 in student loans. Humanities graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in humanities:
Narrow Humanities Schools by State
View All Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 149 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
