by our College Data Analytics Team
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value humanities schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Cuyahoga Community College District, our #1 best value for humanities in Ohio. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $39,394. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Lorain County Community College one of the best values for humanities. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $12,060. Humanities graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,060 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Ohio University Southern Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Ohio University Lancaster Campus one of the best values for humanities. Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,825. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Northwest State Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Archbold, Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,698, compared with $9,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,730 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Northwest State Community College generally make around $45,123. That is a strong return on a $8,730 median debt.
Miami University Hamilton landed the #7 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $44,428. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus landed the #8 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Ohio University Chillicothe Campus earn a median of $35,825 early in their careers. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $27,078. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. That is a strong return on a $27,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Terra State Community College placed #10 among the best values for humanities. Set in the rural area of Fremont, Terra State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,544. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,095 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $63,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Gateway Community College came in at #11 for value in humanities this year. Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public school located in the city of Steubenville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,225, while out-of-state students pay about $6,071. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Eastern Gateway Community College earn a median of $30,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $37,632. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Middletown landed the #13 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Miami University Middletown is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $46,316. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $26,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $38,087. Set against $26,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in humanities this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,825. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $20,784. Early-career humanities graduates make about $32,604. That is a strong return on a $20,784 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Tiffin University earned the #17 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,790. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $30,977. Humanities graduates of Tiffin University earn a median of $37,484 early in their careers. Set against $30,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #18 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,199 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $43,602 early in their careers. Set against $20,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.