[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 913 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy students.
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Finding the Best Value Philosophy School for You
The right philosophy school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Philosophy 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 Philosophy Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in philosophy, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $61,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Moorpark College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $17,217. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $24,048. That is a strong return on a $17,217 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $30,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #6 for value in philosophy this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Princeton University came in at #7 for value in philosophy this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Cuny Lehman College placed #8 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $43,311. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $13,389. Philosophy graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $33,339 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #10 position for value in philosophy this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $9,384. Philosophy graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #11 position for value in philosophy this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton placed #12 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $30,171. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Pasadena City College landed the #13 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Rice University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $11,904. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,125. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $27,926 early in their careers. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #16 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $35,179. That is a strong return on a $19,875 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College landed the #17 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $10,363 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge landed the #18 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $20,822. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $21,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #20 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $19,281. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #21 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #22 spot for philosophy value this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $13,500. Philosophy graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $42,072 early in their careers. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
El Camino Community College District came in at #24 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #25 spot for philosophy value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $34,284. That is a strong return on a $15,408 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Philosophy Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in philosophy:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 913 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 101 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).
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
