2026 Best Value Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for philosophy in the United States. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $11,691. 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. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

2

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Princeton University earned it the #2 place for philosophy. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,430. Philosophy graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

4

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $24,048. That is a strong return on a $17,217 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for philosophy. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $30,851 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

6

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #6 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

7

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College came in at #7 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $43,311. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

8

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College placed #8 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $33,339. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #9 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $30,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

10

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University earned the #10 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. 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. The acceptance rate is 8%.

11

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #11 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $27,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #12 for value in philosophy this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $19,875. Philosophy graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $35,179 early in their careers. Set against $19,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

13

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $11,091. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $10,363. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

14

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #14 for value in philosophy 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $20,822. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

15

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $21,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

16

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #16 spot for philosophy value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $19,281 in student loans. 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.

17

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #17 for value in philosophy this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #18 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $42,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

19

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #19 for value in philosophy this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $49,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

20

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #20 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

21

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida landed the #21 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $49,208 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

22

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

23

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #23 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

24

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University earned the #24 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,636 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $43,699. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt.

25

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #25 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.