2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in New York
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 58 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for humanities students.
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2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Humanities Schools
For return on investment in humanities, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. 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. Humanities graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $26,874 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,057. Early-career humanities graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,057 median debt.
Ulster County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, 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. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #6 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,046 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $28,464. Set against $10,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schenectady County Community College came in at #7 for value in humanities this year. Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. In-state tuition and fees average $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Monroe Community College placed #8 among the best values for humanities. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $38,757. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Erie Community College landed the #9 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $10,090. Humanities graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $23,608 early in their careers. Set against $10,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Greene Community College landed the #10 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Columbia Greene Community College generally make around $28,342. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Onondaga Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,950 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $22,966. That is a strong return on a $10,950 median debt.
Niagara County Community College landed the #12 spot for humanities value this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $22,942. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Orange County Community College earned the #13 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $20,630. That is a strong return on a $10,625 median debt.
Rockland Community College came in at #14 for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,862. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Rockland Community College generally make around $21,840. Set against $8,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dutchess Community College landed the #15 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,670, compared with $10,670 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Dutchess Community College generally make around $22,095. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College landed the #16 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $30,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Genesee Community College earned the #17 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,900, compared with $6,500 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,064 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $22,079. That is a strong return on a $10,064 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College came in at #18 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $23,618. Set against $11,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cayuga County Community College landed the #19 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the town of Auburn, Cayuga County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,056, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,709 ten years out.
Corning Community College came in at #20 for value in humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Corning, Corning Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,534, while out-of-state students pay about $10,326. Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $26,679. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #21 for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,833. Early-career humanities graduates make about $44,443. That is a strong return on a $24,833 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Sullivan County Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake, Sullivan County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,468, compared with $12,132 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Sullivan County Community College earn a median of $27,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Adirondack Community College landed the #23 spot for humanities value this year. 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, compared with $9,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,075 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Adirondack Community College generally make around $31,590. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jamestown Community College earned the #24 position for value in humanities this year. Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Jamestown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,280 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Jamestown Community College generally make around $23,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clinton Community College placed #25 among the best values for humanities. Clinton Community College is a small public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Students from in state pay about $6,831 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,521. Early-career humanities graduates make about $25,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in humanities:
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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
