2026 Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Classical Ancient Studies bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 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 produce 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat University Of Nebraska Lincoln this year in the United States. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete their Classical Ancient Studies program here. Median earnings reach $56,887 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of California Berkeley came in at #3 on this year's best-value Classical Ancient Studies ranking in the United States. Located 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. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete their Classical Ancient Studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $92,446. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #4 on this year's best-value Classical Ancient Studies ranking in the United States. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public school based in Baltimore, MD. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete their Classical Ancient Studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,960. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County has an acceptance rate of 72%. Read more about University Of Maryland Baltimore County
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical Classical Ancient Studies student debt is $24,463. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,762 ten years after entry. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. The median Classical Ancient Studies program debt is $16,097. Median earnings reach $82,511 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. About 9% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
Rice University placed #7 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical Classical Ancient Studies student debt is $11,904. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $89,718. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University has an acceptance rate of 8%. Read the full report on Rice University
University Of California Davis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. The median Classical Ancient Studies program debt is $14,404. Median earnings reach $80,838 ten years out. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of California Davis
Colby College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. 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. The median Classical Ancient Studies program 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. The acceptance rate is 7%. See the full Colby College profile
Boston University landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. The median Classical Ancient Studies program debt is $25,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,238 ten years after entry. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 11% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Boston University profile
Loyola Marymount University placed #11 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete their Classical Ancient Studies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $78,349. Set against $22,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants. More on Loyola Marymount University
Washington University In St Louis landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
University Of Richmond placed #13 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. Based in University of Richmond, VA, University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,230. University Of Richmond Classical Ancient Studies students take on a median of $21,634 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $76,178. That is a strong return on a $21,634 median debt. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Richmond
Franklin And Marshall College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Franklin And Marshall College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lancaster, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,794. 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. About 28% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Franklin And Marshall College report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. The median Classical Ancient Studies program debt is $19,137. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,648 ten years after entry. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Vassar College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Vassar College is a private not-for-profit school based in Poughkeepsie, NY. Students from in state pay about $71,030 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,486 to complete their Classical Ancient Studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,366 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vassar College admits about 19% of applicants. Read the full report on Vassar College
George Washington University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. The median Classical Ancient Studies program debt is $22,910. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $90,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants. Read more about George Washington University
Saint Anselm College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Saint Anselm College is a private not-for-profit school based in Manchester, NH. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,920. Graduates carry a median of $26,863 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Anselm College has an acceptance rate of 78%. Get the full Saint Anselm College report
Vanderbilt University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. The median Classical Ancient Studies program debt is $13,975. Vanderbilt University alumni report median earnings of $91,565 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University has an acceptance rate of 6%. Read more about Vanderbilt University
Mount Holyoke College landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in South Hadley, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Students borrow a median of $22,041 to complete their Classical Ancient Studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,418 ten years after entry. Set against $22,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Mount Holyoke College report
Fordham University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Set in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Fordham University Classical Ancient Studies students take on a median of $25,643 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $85,569. Set against $25,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%. More on Fordham University
Syracuse University placed #22 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,528. The median Classical Ancient Studies program debt is $26,130. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,164 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%. Read the full report on Syracuse University
Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Get the full Concordia University Wisconsin report
Bates College
Bates College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Read more about Bates College
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #24 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Maine ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Get the full University Of Maine report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Classical Ancient Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Villanova University came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Villanova University
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Suny At Binghamton landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Suny At Binghamton report
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #29 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. See the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota profile
Santa Clara University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. More on Santa Clara University
Tufts University
Tufts University came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full Tufts University profile
University Of Illinois At Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read more about University Of Illinois At Chicago
Swarthmore College placed #33 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. See the full Swarthmore College profile
University Of California Irvine came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
Florida Atlantic University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full Florida Atlantic University report
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Miami offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read more about University Of Miami
New York University placed #38 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. Get the full New York University report
Wellesley College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on Wellesley College
Baylor University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. More on Baylor University
Butler University offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. More on Butler University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
Brown University
Brown University placed #43 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. See the full Brown University profile
John Carroll University placed #44 among the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools in the United States. More on John Carroll University
Haverford College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full Haverford College report
Hanover College
Hanover College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Read the full report on Hanover College
Case Western Reserve University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Get the full Case Western Reserve University report
Saint Johns University landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Saint Johns University
Harvard University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. More on Harvard University
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Classical Ancient Studies schools. Get the full Missouri State University Springfield report
Related Classical Ancient Studies Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Classical Ancient Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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).