2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in Pennsylvania
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for humanities students.
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2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Humanities Schools
Bucks County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among humanities schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $10,426. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $24,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Luzerne County Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $11,750. Early-career humanities graduates make about $44,353. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.
Saint Vincent College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,396. Humanities graduates carry a median of $26,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $54,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Vincent College admits about 62% of applicants.
Temple University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $34,372 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Temple University earn a median of $35,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,372 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $28,467. Early-career humanities graduates make about $56,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for humanities value this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $68,293 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for humanities value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Drexel University came in at #8 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $62,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Villanova University placed #9 among the best values for humanities. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $52,183. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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Notes and References
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
