2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong humanities education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 70 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value humanities schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Humanities Schools
Leading the list is Lord Fairfax Community College, our #1 best value for humanities in the Southeast Region. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Students borrow a median of $8,865 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $37,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,865 median debt.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $27,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at John Tyler Community College earned it the #3 place for humanities. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,055 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $25,346. That is a strong return on a $9,055 median debt.
The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $31,140. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Martinsburg, Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $8,808. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community And Technical College generally make around $32,872. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Eastern Shore Community College placed #6 among the best values for humanities. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #7 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $28,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community College earned the #8 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Students borrow a median of $10,600 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $46,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southside Virginia Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Virginia Highlands Community College placed #10 among the best values for humanities. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Virginia Highlands Community College earn a median of $33,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #11 spot for humanities value this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $10,988. Humanities graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $22,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,988 median debt.
University Of Central Florida earned the #12 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,135. Humanities graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $48,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,135 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Tidewater Community College placed #13 among the best values for humanities. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,971 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $29,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College placed #14 among the best values for humanities. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,293.
Thomas Nelson Community College placed #15 among the best values for humanities. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,165. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $31,228. That is a strong return on a $8,165 median debt.
American Public University System earned the #16 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $6,195. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $55,029. Set against $6,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $9,325. Humanities graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $29,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $30,676. Early-career humanities graduates make about $45,230. That is a strong return on a $30,676 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #19 for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $21,349 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $35,361. That is a strong return on a $21,349 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave came in at #20 for value in humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Students borrow a median of $8,625 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $40,020. Set against $8,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshall University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $29,248 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $32,282. That is a strong return on a $29,248 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #22 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $9,384. Early-career humanities graduates make about $36,988. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #23 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Mcneese State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,489, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Students borrow a median of $22,063 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $36,466. That is a strong return on a $22,063 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $27,250. Humanities graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $27,221 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Humanities Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s humanities value ranking:
Narrow Humanities Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
