by our College Data Analytics Team
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Palo Alto College, our #1 best value for humanities in Texas. Palo Alto College is a large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $9,430. Early-career humanities graduates make about $29,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Northwest Vista College one of the best values for humanities. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Lee College one of the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Students borrow a median of $8,476 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Set against $8,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Clear Lake is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #4 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $51,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texarkana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,476, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,957 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Texarkana College generally make around $23,458. Set against $12,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
1
2
3
4
5
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #6 among the best values for humanities. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,419 in student loans. Humanities graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $34,397 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #7 for value in humanities this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $46,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #8 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $64,534. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #9 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $19,052. Humanities graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $69,994 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,052 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Blinn College came in at #10 for value in humanities this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $12,750. Early-career humanities graduates make about $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Tech University placed #11 among the best values for humanities. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $28,713. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $40,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Wayland Baptist University placed #12 among the best values for humanities. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,782. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $24,258. Humanities graduates of Wayland Baptist University earn a median of $44,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Dallas placed #13 among the best values for humanities. University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irving. In-state tuition and fees average $53,930. Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,411 in student loans. Humanities graduates of University Of Dallas earn a median of $58,396 early in their careers. Set against $23,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Lubbock Christian University earned the #14 position for value in humanities this year. Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lubbock. In-state tuition and fees average $28,540. Students borrow a median of $27,359 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $34,330. Set against $27,359 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University landed the #15 spot for humanities value this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.