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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

33 Colleges in the United States
$16,983 Avg Student Debt
$56,296 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Humanities Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 94 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value humanities schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Humanities Schools

1

For return on investment in humanities, no school beat Suffolk County Community College this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $26,874. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for humanities. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Frederick Community College earned it the #3 place for humanities. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,510. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #5 place for humanities. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,057. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Hudson Valley Community College came in at #6 for value in humanities this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,046 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $28,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Ulster County Community College earned the #7 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,666 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $24,015. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

8

Monroe Community College came in at #8 for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Schenectady County Community College placed #9 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.

10

Erie Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $10,090. Early-career humanities graduates make about $23,608. Set against $10,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Orange County Community College landed the #11 spot for humanities value this year. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $6,526 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $10,625. Humanities graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $20,630 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Columbia Greene Community College came in at #12 for value in humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,048, with out-of-state students paying around $11,448. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,000. Humanities graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $28,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

13

Suny Westchester Community College landed the #13 spot for humanities value this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $30,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Onondaga Community College placed #14 among the best values for humanities. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,950 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $22,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Rockland Community College placed #15 among the best values for humanities. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,862. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,390. Humanities graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $21,840 early in their careers. Set against $8,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

Niagara County Community College earned the #16 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,500. Humanities graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $22,942 early in their careers. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Bucks County Community College placed #17 among the best values for humanities. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,426 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $24,235 early in their careers. Set against $10,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Dutchess Community College came in at #18 for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,670, with out-of-state students paying around $10,670. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $22,095. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #19 position for value in humanities this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. That is a strong return on a $24,833 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.

20

Genesee Community College placed #20 among the best values for humanities. Located in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $10,064. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Genesee Community College generally make around $22,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Corning Community College placed #21 among the best values for humanities. Set in the rural area of Corning, Corning Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,534 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $26,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Mohawk Valley Community College placed #22 among the best values for humanities. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. In-state tuition and fees average $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Students borrow a median of $11,100 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $23,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Sullivan County Community College placed #23 among the best values for humanities. Set in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake, Sullivan County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,468, while out-of-state students pay about $12,132. Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Sullivan County Community College generally make around $27,874. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

24

Cayuga County Community College earned the #24 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the town of Auburn, Cayuga County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,056 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,709 ten years after entry.

25

Adirondack Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Queensbury, Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,844, while out-of-state students pay about $9,616. Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Adirondack Community College generally make around $31,590. That is a strong return on a $14,075 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Humanities Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for humanities this year:

26
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
27
Saint Peters College crest
Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ
28
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33
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35
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49
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
50
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

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Notes and References

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 · 94 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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