by our College Data Analytics Team
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for philosophy students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the philosophy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy schools in California. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $17,075. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. 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. 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. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Long Beach City College landed the #6 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
California State University Northridge came in at #7 for value in philosophy this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $16,202. Philosophy graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $20,822 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
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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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $20,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #9 for value in philosophy this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,034 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $29,326. Set against $15,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca placed #10 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,191 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,935 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans. Median earnings reach $41,540 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach came in at #11 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $19,281 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $51,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $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. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
San Francisco State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. 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. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #14 spot for philosophy value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $30,182 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
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Sonoma State University placed #15 among the best values for philosophy. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego earned the #16 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,832 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $24,669 early in their careers. Set against $15,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Stanford University landed the #17 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California Berkeley placed #18 among the best values for philosophy. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,475. Philosophy graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $36,355 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
San Jose State University earned the #19 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Los Angeles Pierce College placed #20 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $12,477. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,521 ten years after entry. Set against $12,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Irvine came in at #21 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $23,705. Philosophy graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $20,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,705 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of California Riverside placed #22 among the best values for philosophy. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,022 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $25,171. Set against $19,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Davis earned the #23 position for value in philosophy this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $13,200 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $32,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $25,303. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #25 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $61,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
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These schools also delivered strong value for philosophy this year:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
