2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the The Plains States 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value humanities schools.
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2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the The Plains States 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
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #1 spot for value among humanities schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Barton County Community College, which ranked #2. Barton County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Great Bend. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, while out-of-state students pay about $4,960. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Barton County Community College generally make around $44,536. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the humanities program here. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Saint Mary earned it the #5 place for humanities. College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $24,510 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $25,539. Humanities graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of $66,015 early in their careers. Set against $25,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Saint Mary admits about 45% of applicants.
Bemidji State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $48,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Kansas ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Humanities graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $42,527 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Mary placed #8 among the best values for humanities. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $26,983. Humanities graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Set against $26,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #9 position for value in humanities this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $27,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 21 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.
