2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among humanities schools in the Great Lakes Region. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

2

Lansing Community College
Lansing, MI

A rank of #2 makes Lansing Community College one of the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,264 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $27,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Lorain County Community College
Elyria, OH

Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Lorain County Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,060 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. That is a strong return on a $12,060 median debt.

4

Richland Community College
Decatur, IL

A rank of #4 makes Richland Community College one of the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,125 median debt.

5

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Indiana University Kokomo, which ranked #5. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,236. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $35,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.

6

Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI

Kellogg Community College earned the #6 position for value in humanities this year. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. In-state tuition and fees average $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,057 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Set against $15,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $19,000. Humanities graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $54,436 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.

9

Glen Oaks Community College
Centreville, MI

Glen Oaks Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Glen Oaks Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Centreville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $6,624 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,764 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $27,987. Set against $13,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #10 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,728 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $38,065. That is a strong return on a $20,728 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

11

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $79,921. Set against $17,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

12

Ohio University Southern Campus
Ironton, OH

Ohio University Southern Campus placed #12 among the best values for humanities. Set in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,614. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Indiana University East
Richmond, IN

Indiana University East landed the #13 spot for humanities value this year. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $29,072. Early-career humanities graduates make about $39,936. Set against $29,072 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.

14

Ohio University Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, OH

Ohio University Zanesville Campus landed the #14 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,614. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,825. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Ohio University Lancaster Campus
Lancaster, OH

Ohio University Lancaster Campus placed #15 among the best values for humanities. Set in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,614. Humanities graduates of Ohio University Lancaster Campus earn a median of $35,825 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #16 spot for humanities value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

17

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Humanities graduates carry a median of $32,609 in student loans. Humanities graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,609 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.

18

Northwest State Community College
Archbold, OH

Northwest State Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Archbold, Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $9,170. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,730 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $45,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Ohio University Chillicothe Campus
Chillicothe, OH

Ohio University Chillicothe Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,614. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus generally make around $35,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Kirtland Community College
Grayling, MI

Kirtland Community College placed #20 among the best values for humanities. Located in the rural area of Grayling, Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,000. Humanities graduates of Kirtland Community College earn a median of $25,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #21 for value in humanities this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $27,078. Early-career humanities graduates make about $49,045. That is a strong return on a $27,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

22

Miami University Hamilton
Hamilton, OH

Miami University Hamilton landed the #22 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,012 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $44,428. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Miami University Middletown
Middletown, OH

Miami University Middletown landed the #23 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Miami University Middletown is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $46,316. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt.

24

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $37,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

25

Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI

Siena Heights University landed the #25 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,778 in tuition and fees. Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,137 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $52,293. Set against $27,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.