2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Southwest Region
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong humanities education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value humanities schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Southwest 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
Oklahoma City Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $34,626 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Lee College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $8,476. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Set against $8,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Northwest Vista College generally make around $29,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Palo Alto College earned it the #4 place for humanities. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
University Of Houston Clear Lake is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rio Salado College placed #6 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $16,750. Early-career humanities graduates make about $48,564. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cochise College earned the #7 position for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $9,957 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. Set against $9,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #8 for value in humanities this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $34,397. Set against $24,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Texarkana College placed #9 among the best values for humanities. Texarkana College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. Students from in state pay about $2,476 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,332. Students borrow a median of $12,957 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Texarkana College earn a median of $23,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phoenix College placed #10 among the best values for humanities. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az placed #11 among the best values for humanities. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #12 for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $9,500. Early-career humanities graduates make about $78,359. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #13 position for value in humanities this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public school located in the city of Chandler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $6,625. Humanities graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community College Phoenix earned the #14 position for value in humanities this year. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,736 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $50,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College earned the #15 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $46,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Mountain Community College earned the #16 position for value in humanities this year. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Median earnings reach $39,825 ten years out.
Arizona State University landed the #17 spot for humanities value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $44,173 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona placed #18 among the best values for humanities. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Paradise Valley Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College landed the #20 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $48,039. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #21 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $46,298. That is a strong return on a $23,925 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #22 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $55,222. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #23 spot for humanities value this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Humanities graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $64,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
Blinn College placed #24 among the best values for humanities. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $12,750. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #25 for value in humanities this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $19,052. Early-career humanities graduates make about $69,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Rest of the Top 34 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
