by our College Data Analytics Team
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 176 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy schools in the Far Western Region. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #2 place for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #3 place for philosophy. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,430. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Rosa Junior College earned it the #5 place for philosophy. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,692. Philosophy graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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California State University Fullerton placed #6 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $30,171 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
El Camino Community College District placed #7 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
California State University Fresno came in at #8 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $20,354 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #9 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. 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. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #10 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $19,281. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University landed the #11 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #12 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, 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. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Santa Barbara City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,240, with out-of-state students paying around $10,432. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $68,184. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
Fullerton College came in at #14 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #15 position for value in philosophy this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $17,226. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #16 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,034 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $29,326. Set against $15,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #17 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $22,500. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $50,039. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #18 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,832 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $24,669. That is a strong return on a $15,832 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Los Angeles Valley College earned the #19 position for value in philosophy this year. Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public school located in the city of Valley Glen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $10,254. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $81,600. That is a strong return on a $10,254 median debt.
University Of California Irvine came in at #20 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $23,705 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $20,922. Set against $23,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
San Francisco State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $28,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #22 spot for philosophy value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Eastern Washington University earned the #23 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #24 position for value in philosophy this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $13,500. Philosophy graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $42,072 early in their careers. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Sonoma State University placed #25 among the best values for philosophy. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, compared with $21,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $19,000. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $51,140. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.
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This list is compiled 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 · 176 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
