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2026 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the philosophy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Philosophy Schools
Our analysis ranked Florida State University the best value for a degree in philosophy in the United States. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,359 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $27,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,359 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $25,209. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Francisco State University earned it the #3 place for philosophy. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the philosophy program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia State University earned it the #4 place for philosophy. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $34,666. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Suny At Albany earned the #6 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #7 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $20,062 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $52,668 early in their careers. Set against $20,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $17,921. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Johnson University placed #9 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,122. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $23,819. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Johnson University generally make around $34,290. Set against $23,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #10 position for value in philosophy this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $25,218. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. That is a strong return on a $25,218 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Biola University came in at #11 for value in philosophy this year. Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. Students from in state pay about $48,984 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $25,308. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. That is a strong return on a $25,308 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University came in at #12 for value in philosophy this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $68,154. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
Boston College came in at #13 for value in philosophy this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $18,000. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
American University earned the #14 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $24,139. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $58,030. That is a strong return on a $24,139 median debt. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
Fordham University came in at #15 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Students borrow a median of $22,999 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. Set against $22,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants.
[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.
