Top 20 Universities for Arts and Humanities: QS Rankings, Tuition Fees and More
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The arts and humanities cover diverse subjects from languages and philosophy to history and creative writing. This blog explores the top 20 universities for these disciplines, helping you choose the best fit for your academic and career goals.
Table of Contents
- 1. Harvard University
- 2. University of Cambridge
- 3. University of Oxford
- 4. Stanford University
- 5. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
- 6. Yale University
- 7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- 8. New York University (NYU)
- 9. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- 10. UCL
- 11. University of Toronto
- 12. University of Edinburgh
- 13. Columbia University
- 14. Princeton University
- 15. University of Chicago
- 16. Sorbonne University
- 17. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- 18. University of British Columbia
- 19. Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
- 20. University of Amsterdam
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The arts and humanities are a broad range of disciplines that encompass subjects like ancient and modern languages, anthropology, philosophy, theatre, sociology, history, archaeology, literature, religious studies, politics, journalism, international relations, development studies, classical studies, music, creative writing, psychology, etc.
They not only help us to understand the world around us but also hone transferable skills that are highly sought-after by employers across various fields. As a result, in this blog we will look at the top 20 universities for Arts and Humanities around the world according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 to help aspirants make the right decision.
1. Harvard University
Located in Cambridge, United States, Harvard University ranks at #4 according to the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
|---|---|
|
|
Cost
The annual tuition amount for undergraduate courses at Harvard University is USD 56,550 (48 lakhs INR). Meanwhile, the annual cost for graduate courses varies from department to department.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Huhs Student Health Fee |
1,242 |
1.03 lakhs |
|
Student Health Insurance Plan |
4,040 |
3.37 lakhs |
|
Course & Program Materials Fee |
2,550 |
2.12 lakhs |
|
Room & Utilities (9 Months) |
14,340 |
11.9 lakhs |
|
Living Expenses (9 Months) |
15,930 |
13.3 lakhs |
|
Computer (Variable; Not Included in Above Budgets) |
1,500 |
1.25 lakhs |
2. University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge, situated in the United Kingdom, holds the #5th position in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
PhD |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Cost
At the University of Cambridge, the average tuition fees are approximately £30,549 (INR 32.44 lakhs per year for undergraduate programs and £44, 464 (INR 47.22 lakhs) per year for postgraduate programs.
|
Section |
Average Price (in GBP) |
Average Price (in ₹) |
|---|---|---|
|
Food |
185 |
19,755 |
|
Accommodation |
800 |
85,429 |
|
Personal items |
76 |
8,115 |
|
Social activities |
90 |
9,610 |
|
Study costs |
20 |
2,135 |
|
Miscellaneous |
45 |
4,805 |
3. University of Oxford
According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, University of Oxford, located in Oxford, United Kingdom, is ranked #3.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
PhD |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Cost
The annual cost of the University of Oxford's undergraduate programs for an international student ranges from GBP 28,950 to GBP 44,240 (INR 30.78 lakhs to 47.04 lakhs). Similarly, the graduate programs have tuition fees ranging from GBP 10,000 to GBP 52,500, (INR10.62 lakhs to 55.77 lakhs).
|
Section |
Average Price for 9 Month (in GBP) |
Average Price for 9 Month (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Food |
2,835-4,455 |
3 lakhs-4.7 lakhs |
|
Accommodation |
6,705-8,325 |
7.1 lakhs-8.9 lakhs |
|
Personal items |
1,710-2,880 |
1.8 lakhs-3 lakhs |
|
Social activities |
360-855 |
38,443-91,302 |
|
Study costs |
315-765 |
33,637-81,691 |
|
Miscellaneous |
180-315 |
19,221-33,637 |
4. Stanford University
Stanford University in USA, stands at #6 in the QS World University Rankings for 2025. By 2024, only 5% of applicants were accepted to Stanford University, a sign of a challenging admissions process.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
|---|---|
|
|
Cost
The average cost of tuition for Undergraduate Course is INR 61,80,431 and for PG programs, the average tuition fee is INR 60,51,415.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Housing and Food |
21,315 |
17.8 lakhs |
|
Student Fees Allowance |
2,400 |
2 lakhs |
|
Books and Supplies Allowance |
825 |
68,893 |
|
Personal Expenses Allowance |
3,225 |
2.6 lakhs |
|
Travel |
Varies |
Varies |
5. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
Ranked at #12 by the QS World University Rankings 2025, University of California, Berkeley is located in Berkeley, United States.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
|---|---|
|
|
Cost
At the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), the average tuition fees for a UG program is INR 48,75,424, while that for a PG program is INR 44,24,923. The expenses on meal and accommodation per year is approx. INR 8,68,966.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Housing and Utilities |
12,300 |
10.2 lakhs |
|
Food |
6,122 |
5.1 lakhs |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment |
1,132 |
94,530 |
|
Miscellaneous and Personal |
2,728 |
2.2 lakhs |
|
Transportation |
1,072 |
89,520 |
6. Yale University
Yale University, located in New Haven, United States, is ranked 23rd by the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
PhD |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Cost
At Yale University, the average tuition fees are INR 52,01,610 for undergraduate programs and INR 37,18,420 for postgraduate programs.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Housing |
11,300 |
9.4 lakhs |
|
Food |
8,600 |
7.1 lakhs |
|
Books/Course Material/Supplies/Equipment |
1,000 |
83,507 |
|
Student Activities Fee |
125 |
10,438 |
|
Personal Expenses |
2,700 |
2.2 lakhs |
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT, located in Cambridge, United States, is ranked at 1st by the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
PhD |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Cost
At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the average tuition fees are INR 48,12,220 for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Housing |
13,060 |
10.9 lakhs |
|
Food |
7,220 |
6 lakhs |
|
Student Life Fees |
406 |
33,904 |
|
Books and Supplies Allowance |
910 |
75,991 |
|
Personal Expenses Allowance |
2,374 |
1.9 lakhs |
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8. New York University (NYU)
As per the QS World University Rankings 2025, New York University in New York City, United States, is positioned at #43.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
|---|---|
|
|
Cost
At New York University (NYU), the average tuition fees are INR 48,60,518.08 for undergraduate programs and INR 48,70,712.4 for postgraduate programs.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Room and Board |
24,102 |
20.1 lakhs |
|
Travel & Personal Expenses |
5,682 |
4.7 lakhs |
|
Health Expenses |
4,832 |
4.03 lakhs |
9. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
University of California in Los Angeles, United States, is ranked #42 in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
|---|---|
|
|
Cost
At UCLA, the average tuition fees for Arts and Humanities undergraduates are INR 35,92,495.08, while postgraduates pay INR 22,18,016.64, in addition to INR 28,89,839.04 for hostel and meals per year.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Room and Board |
15,816 |
13.2 lakhs |
|
Books and supplies |
1,509 |
1.2 lakhs |
|
Transportation |
432 |
36,075 |
|
Personal |
1,470 |
1.22 lakhs |
|
Health Insurance |
2,225 |
1.8 lakhs |
|
Non-resident supplemental tuition |
28,992 |
24.2 lakhs |
10. UCL
UCL, situated in London, United Kingdom, is the 9th best university according to the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
PhD |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Cost
At University College London (UCL), the average tuition fees are INR 35,93,747.29 for undergraduate programs and INR 33,95,217 for postgraduate programs, with the cost for hostel and meals totaling INR 36,17,862.85 per year.
|
Section |
Average Price Per Month (in GBP) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Rent incl. household bills |
1,014 |
1.08 lakhs |
|
Food |
213 |
22,745 |
|
Course materials |
23 |
2,456 |
|
Mobile phone |
23 |
2,456 |
|
Health and wellbeing |
24 |
2,562 |
|
Student travelcard, zones 1-2 (18+ Student monthly Oyster photocard) |
129.13 |
13,789 |
11. University of Toronto
University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada, is listed as #25 in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Postgraduate Courses |
|---|
|
Cost
At the University of Toronto, the average tuition fees are INR 27,82,119.84 for undergraduate programs and INR 18,37,018.8 for postgraduate programs, with the cost for hostel and meals amounting to INR 22,86,820.05 per year.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Residence and Food |
8,000 to 15,000 |
6.6 lakhs-12.5 lakhs |
|
Books, Computers and Supplies |
1,000 |
83,507 |
12. University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh, situated in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, is the 27th best university according to the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
PhD |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Cost
The average tuition costs for some of the popular undergraduate courses at the institute ranges from INR 36,92,102 to 28,11,408.83. Similarly, the average tuition costs for some of the popular postgraduate courses ranges from INR 43,39,281.52 to 28,96,390.85.
|
Section |
Average Price Per Month (in GBP) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Accommodation |
500-700 |
53,393-74,750 |
|
Food |
260 |
27,764 |
|
Utilities |
240 |
25,628 |
|
Health and wellbeing |
200 |
21,357 |
|
Travel |
50-57 |
5,339-6,086 |
13. Columbia University
According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, Columbia University, located in New York City, United States, is ranked #=34.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Postgraduate Courses |
|---|
|
Cost
At Columbia University, the average tuition fees are INR 48,83,246.4 for undergraduate programs and INR 44,32,022.4 for postgraduate programs.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
New student fees |
675 |
56,367 |
|
Housing and food |
17,580 |
14.6 lakhs |
|
Books, personal expenses and transportations |
3,992 |
3.3 lakhs |
14. Princeton University
Ranked at #22 by the QS World University Rankings 2025, Princeton University is located in Princeton, United States.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
|---|---|
|
|
Cost
At Princeton University, the average tuition fees are INR 41,32,042 for undergraduate programs and INR 45,18,089.2 for postgraduate programs.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Housing |
11,910 |
10 lakhs |
|
Food |
8,340 |
7 lakhs |
|
Estimated miscellaneous expenses |
4,050 |
3.3 lakhs |
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15. University of Chicago
- Location - Chicago, United States
- QS World University Rankings 2025 - #21
University of Chicago, in Chicago, United States, stands at #21 in the QS World University Rankings for 2025.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
|---|---|
|
|
Cost
At University of Chicago, the average tuition fee is INR 56 lakh for undergraduate programs and ranges between INR 19-58 lakhs for postgraduate programs. Meanwhile, the approximate cost of accommodation is INR 15,94,054.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Housing and Food |
17,502 |
14.6 lakhs |
|
Student Life Fees |
1,878 |
1.56 lakhs |
|
Books & Course Materials |
1,800 |
1.50 lakhs |
|
Personal Expenses Allowance |
1,950 |
1.62 lakhs |
|
Travel |
450 |
37,578 |
16. Sorbonne University
The QS World University Rankings 2025 place Sorbonne University, based in Paris, France, at #=63.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Popular Specializations |
|---|
|
Cost
The average yearly tuition for postgraduate programs at Sorbonne University for students from outside the EU/EEA is EUR 11,19,230.19, with prices ranging from EUR 9,67,014.89 to EUR 12,98,307.03.
|
Section |
Average Price (in EUR) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Housing and Food |
1,140 |
1.03 lakhs |
|
Health Insurance |
20 |
1,810 |
|
Personal Expenses Allowance |
250 |
22,631 |
|
Travel |
65 |
5,884 |
17. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, United States, is listed as #44 in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Popular Units |
|---|
|
Cost
At the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, the average tuition fees are INR 41,23,686 for undergraduate programs and INR 17,87,264.84 for postgraduate programs, with the cost for hostel and meals being INR 17,61,611.92 per year.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Books and supplies |
1,331 |
1.1 lakhs |
|
Housing and Meals |
19,452 |
16.2 lakhs |
|
International Student Fee |
1,000 |
83,507 |
|
Personal and Miscellaneous Expenses |
6,910 |
5.7 lakhs |
18. University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia, located in Vancouver, Canada, holds the 38th rank in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
|---|---|
|
|
Cost
At the University of British Columbia, the average tuition fees are INR 39,36,905.47 for undergraduate programs and ranges from INR 5.53 - 31.57 lakhs in the first year for postgraduate programs.
|
Section |
Average Price (in USD) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Student Fees |
900.10 |
75,157 |
|
Books and Supplies Allowance (except laptop) |
1,700 |
14.1 lakhs |
|
Personal Expenses Allowance |
1,440 |
12.02 lakhs |
19. Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in Paris, France stands at #283 in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Popular Departments |
|---|
|
Cost
Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University will apply the same tuition fee rates for the academic year 2024/2025 to French and foreign students regardless of whether they come from a European Union member state (voted by the Board of Governors on 26 th October 2023). The exact tuition fees for international students in Arts and Humanities programs at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne can vary widely depending on the specific program and level of study.
|
Section |
Average Price (in EUR) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Housing and Food |
1,140 |
1.03 lakhs |
|
Health Insurance |
20 |
1,810 |
|
Personal Expenses Allowance |
250 |
22,631 |
|
Travel |
65 |
5,884 |
20. University of Amsterdam
Holding the 55th rank in the QS World University Rankings 2025, University of Amsterdam is in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Popular Courses in Arts and Humanities
|
Undergraduate Courses |
Postgraduate Courses |
|---|---|
|
|
Cost
For the University of Amsterdam, the average tuition fees are approximately INR 11,86,020 for undergraduate programs and INR 17,31,589.2 for postgraduate programs. Additionally, the cost for hostel and meals amounts to around INR 83,111.25 per year.
|
Section |
Average Price Per Month (in EUR) |
Average Price (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Accommodation |
650 - 1200 |
58,762-1.08 Lakhs |
|
General Living Expenses |
400 - 500 |
36,161 -45,201 |
|
Insurance |
35 - 100 |
3,164-9,040 |
|
Books |
50 - 100 |
4,520-9,040 |
|
Public Travel |
40 - 100 |
3,616-9,040 |
|
Visa/Residence permit |
228 (one time) |
20,612 |
Choosing a university for arts and humanities involves considering factors like academic reputation, program offerings, cost, and eligibility criteria. Each of these top universities offers unique opportunities for students to engage deeply with their chosen disciplines and contribute meaningfully to the field of arts and humanities.
Therefore, whether you aspire to study literature, history, philosophy, or visual arts, these institutions provide world-class education and a platform for intellectual growth and creativity.
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