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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for humanities students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu tops our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools in Hawaii. Set in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,584, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Humanities graduates carry a median of $18,952 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $29,588. That is a strong return on a $18,952 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #2 makes Brigham Young University Hawaii one of the best values for humanities. Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Laie. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630. Humanities graduates of Brigham Young University Hawaii earn a median of $41,461 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Chaminade University Of Honolulu came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Chaminade University Of Honolulu is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,874 in tuition and fees. Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,096 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $48,383. Set against $25,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.