[Classical & Ancient Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/classical-ancient-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 79 schools to find the best return on investment for classical & ancient studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Classical & Ancient Studies School for You
The right classical & ancient studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Classical & Ancient Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Classical & Ancient Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
University Of California Berkeley tops our 2026 list of the best value classical & ancient studies schools in the United States. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the classical & ancient studies program here. Early-career classical & ancient studies graduates make about $70,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in classical & ancient studies will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for classical & ancient studies graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, classical & ancient studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in classical & ancient studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Classical & Ancient Studies graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, classical & ancient studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in classical & ancient studies will find it at University Of Iowa, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for classical & ancient studies graduates is $24,463. Soon after graduation, classical & ancient studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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).
[Classical & Ancient Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/classical-ancient-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
