by our College Data Analytics Team
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for humanities students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in humanities, no school beat J Sargeant Reynolds Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $27,924. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Tyler Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,055 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $25,346 early in their careers. Set against $9,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Lord Fairfax Community College, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,865. Early-career humanities graduates make about $37,531. Set against $8,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Shore Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,418 ten years after entry.
Virginia Highlands Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $33,529. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Virginia Western Community College placed #6 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,988 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $22,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community College earned the #7 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,979, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $10,600. Humanities graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $46,892 early in their careers. Set against $10,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College came in at #8 for value in humanities this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,346 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College earned the #9 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
Piedmont Virginia Community College earned the #10 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Students borrow a median of $9,325 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $29,027. Set against $9,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #11 for value in humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,165 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $31,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College landed the #12 spot for humanities value this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,971 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $29,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #13 spot for humanities value this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $28,249. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Mountain Empire Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $36,988 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earned the #15 position for value in humanities this year. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,625. Humanities graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $40,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,625 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #16 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $23,756. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George Mason University placed #17 among the best values for humanities. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,500. Early-career humanities graduates make about $41,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Richmond ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $65,230. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $21,634. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $53,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 22%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.