2026 Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Schools
Looking for the best-value Classical Ancient Studies programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 79 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Classical Ancient Studies Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
New York University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. New York University Classical Ancient Studies students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 9% of those who apply are admitted. See the full New York University profile
You'll get strong value at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Classical Ancient Studies students take on a median of $24,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $56,887 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read more about University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Out of the 79 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Florida Atlantic University landed the #3 spot. Set in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Florida Atlantic University Classical Ancient Studies students take on a median of $20,212 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,746. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. About 66% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Florida Atlantic University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #4 on this year's best-value Classical Ancient Studies ranking in the United States. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. The median Classical Ancient Studies program debt is $26,657. Median earnings reach $54,990 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of California Berkeley landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,446 ten years after entry. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. University Of Wisconsin Madison alumni report median earnings of $73,792 a decade after entry. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison has an acceptance rate of 45%. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Tufts University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Median earnings reach $83,214 ten years out. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%. Read the full report on Tufts University
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Baltimore, MD, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Typical Classical Ancient Studies student debt is $21,331. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,960. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Maryland Baltimore County
University Of Iowa came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. The median Classical Ancient Studies program debt is $24,463. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,762. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants. Read more about University Of Iowa
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. University Of California Los Angeles Classical Ancient Studies students take on a median of $16,097 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,511 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Rice University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Typical Classical Ancient Studies student debt is $11,904. Rice University alumni report median earnings of $89,718 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University has an acceptance rate of 8%. Read the full report on Rice University
University Of California Davis landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Davis, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. The median Classical Ancient Studies program debt is $14,404. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $80,838. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%. More on University Of California Davis
Colby College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Colby College is a private not-for-profit school based in Waterville, ME. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,600. Typical Classical Ancient Studies student debt is $22,016. Colby College alumni report median earnings of $80,490 a decade after entry. Set against $22,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colby College has an acceptance rate of 7%. Read more about Colby College
Boston University landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Median earnings reach $83,238 ten years out. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants. Read the full report on Boston University
Loyola Marymount University placed #17 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. The median Classical Ancient Studies program debt is $22,248. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,349 ten years after entry. Set against $22,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%. Get the full Loyola Marymount University report
Washington University In St Louis came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Washington University In St Louis Classical Ancient Studies students take on a median of $17,553 in debt. Washington University In St Louis alumni report median earnings of $86,182 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis has an acceptance rate of 12%. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
University Of Richmond placed #19 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit school based in University of Richmond, VA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,230. Typical Classical Ancient Studies student debt is $21,634. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $76,178. That is a strong return on a $21,634 median debt. The acceptance rate is 22%. More on University Of Richmond
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Median earnings reach $83,648 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Franklin And Marshall College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Franklin And Marshall College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lancaster, PA. Students from in state pay about $70,794 in tuition and fees. Typical Classical Ancient Studies student debt is $20,411. Median earnings reach $76,124 ten years out. Set against $20,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%. Read more about Franklin And Marshall College
Vassar College landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Poughkeepsie, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,030. Students borrow a median of $18,486 to complete their Classical Ancient Studies program here. Vassar College alumni report median earnings of $71,366 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%. Read the full report on Vassar College
George Washington University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. George Washington University Classical Ancient Studies students take on a median of $22,910 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $90,873. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants. Read the full report on George Washington University
Saint Anselm College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Manchester, NH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,920. Saint Anselm College Classical Ancient Studies students take on a median of $26,863 in debt. Saint Anselm College alumni report median earnings of $73,371 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. More on Saint Anselm College
Vanderbilt University landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Vanderbilt University Classical Ancient Studies students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. Vanderbilt University alumni report median earnings of $91,565 a decade after entry. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 6% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Mount Holyoke College placed #26 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. Located in South Hadley, MA, Mount Holyoke College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Students borrow a median of $22,041 to complete their Classical Ancient Studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,418. That is a strong return on a $22,041 median debt. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants. Read the full report on Mount Holyoke College
Fordham University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bronx, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Typical Classical Ancient Studies student debt is $25,643. Graduates go on to earn a median of $85,569 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants. Read more about Fordham University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Classical Ancient Studies Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Syracuse University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical Classical Ancient Studies student debt is $26,130. Syracuse University alumni report median earnings of $79,164 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%. More on Syracuse University
Wesleyan University placed #27 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Wesleyan University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
St Olaf College
St Olaf College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Read more about St Olaf College
Villanova University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. More on Villanova University
Saint Johns University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Read the full report on Saint Johns University
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Chicago
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Read more about Missouri State University Springfield
Calvin College
Calvin College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Read the full report on Calvin College
College Of Saint Benedict placed #35 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. More on College Of Saint Benedict
Creighton University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Read more about Creighton University
Concordia University Wisconsin came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. See the full Concordia University Wisconsin profile
University Of Miami landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Miami
Barnard College
Barnard College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. More on Barnard College
Wellesley College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Wellesley College
Harvard University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Read more about Harvard University
John Carroll University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Get the full John Carroll University report
Dartmouth College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. See the full Dartmouth College profile
Haverford College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Get the full Haverford College report
Santa Clara University landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Santa Clara University
Wheaton College Massachusetts came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Wheaton College Massachusetts report
Randolph Macon College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. More on Randolph Macon College
Saint Peters College landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Saint Peters College profile
Emory University
Emory University offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read the full report on Emory University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Schools by Degree Level
Compare value rankings by degree level:
- Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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