Humanities degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their humanities programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 484 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for humanities students pursuing a degree.
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University Of Central Florida tops our 2026 ranking of the best humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 12 humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $48,391 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,135.
See the full humanities program report for University Of Central Florida
Irvine Valley College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in humanities, ranking #2. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. About 165 humanities degrees were awarded at Irvine Valley College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $5,754 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in humanities from Irvine Valley College
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best humanities schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. About 130 humanities degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their humanities degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans.
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Santiago Canyon College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best humanities schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. There were roughly 456 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Santiago Canyon College in the most recent data year. Humanities graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $37,149 early in their careers. Santiago Canyon College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
Read more about the humanities program at Santiago Canyon College
Students looking for a strong humanities program will find one at Florida State University, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 62 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $35,361 in their early career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $21,349 in student loans.
More information about a degree in humanities from Florida State University
New York University came in at #6 for humanities this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 64 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Humanities graduates of New York University earn a median of $39,652 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans.
Read more about the humanities program at New York University
Oxnard College landed the #7 spot for humanities this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oxnard. There were roughly 152 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Oxnard College in the most recent data year.
Read more about the humanities program at Oxnard College
Grossmont College placed #8 among the best humanities schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Grossmont College awarded about 164 humanities degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full humanities program report for Grossmont College
Golden West College placed #9 among the best humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Golden West College awarded about 338 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the humanities program at Golden West College
Santa Barbara City College landed the #10 spot for humanities this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. There were roughly 328 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree.
Read more about the humanities program at Santa Barbara City College
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #11 position for humanities this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 14 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $45,230. Students borrow a median of $30,676 to complete this degree.
See the full humanities program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus
American Public University System came in at #12 for humanities this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 humanities degrees were awarded at American Public University System in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $52,108. American Public University System graduates carry a median of $6,125 in student loans.
More information about a degree in humanities from American Public University System
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #13 for humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. There were roughly 172 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Humanities graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,144 early in their careers. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
See the full humanities program report for Northern Virginia Community College
Skyline College landed the #14 spot for humanities this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. About 45 humanities degrees were awarded at Skyline College in the most recent year.
Read more about the humanities program at Skyline College
The University Of West Florida placed #15 among the best humanities schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 13 humanities degrees were awarded at The University Of West Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $31,140 in their early career. The University Of West Florida graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans.
Read more about the humanities program at The University Of West Florida
College Of The Canyons landed the #16 spot for humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. About 61 humanities degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Humanities graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $29,397 early in their careers. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans.
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Ventura College landed the #17 spot for humanities this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. There were roughly 341 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Ventura College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their humanities degree from Ventura College earn around $99,778 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,250.
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Saddleback College placed #18 among the best humanities schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Saddleback College awarded about 270 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $16,740. Typical student debt for the program is $5,914.
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Santa Ana College came in at #19 for humanities this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. About 623 humanities degrees were awarded at Santa Ana College in the most recent year. Students who receive their humanities degree from Santa Ana College earn around $30,117 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,800.
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Palomar College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best humanities schools. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. About 108 humanities degrees were awarded at Palomar College in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in humanities from Palomar College
Nassau Community College placed #21 among the best humanities schools. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. There were roughly 713 humanities students who graduated with this degree at Nassau Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $27,510 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
See the full humanities program report for Nassau Community College
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best humanities schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Valhalla. About 285 humanities degrees were awarded at Suny Westchester Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the humanities program make about $30,417 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in humanities from Suny Westchester Community College
Los Angeles Pierce College earned the #23 position for humanities this year. Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public school located in the city of Woodland Hills. Los Angeles Pierce College awarded about 314 humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Los Angeles Pierce College graduates carry a median of $12,102 in student loans.
Read more about the humanities program at Los Angeles Pierce College
Pasadena City College earned the #24 position for humanities this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. About 908 humanities degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Students who receive their humanities degree from Pasadena City College earn around $38,841 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191.
See the full humanities program report for Pasadena City College
De Anza College earned the #25 position for humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. About 57 humanities degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. De Anza College graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans.
Read more about the humanities program at De Anza College
Rest of the Top 50 Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong humanities education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 484 schools evaluated.
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).
