2026 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 178 schools to find the best return on investment for philosophy students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy Schools
Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $12,678. Philosophy graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $30,851 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #4. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $18,700. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $43,311 early in their careers. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $20,164. Philosophy graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $35,608 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,164 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Cuny City College ranked #6 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $33,339. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #7 among the best values for philosophy. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Salisbury University placed #8 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $23,545. Philosophy graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $45,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,545 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #9 for value in philosophy this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $10,363. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #10 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,688. Philosophy graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Towson University landed the #11 spot for philosophy value this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,697 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Swarthmore College earned the #12 position for value in philosophy this year. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $66,971. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Suny At Albany landed the #13 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $44,736. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #14 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $20,062. Philosophy graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $52,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,062 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #15 for value in philosophy this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $40,113. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Hamilton College landed the #16 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,960. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $16,131. Philosophy graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $48,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Colgate University earned the #17 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,306. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Temple University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $28,648. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #19 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Rochester earned the #20 position for value in philosophy this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $60,865. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $18,500. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $73,053. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #22 position for value in philosophy this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $23,529. Philosophy graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Cornell University placed #23 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $15,005. Philosophy graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Catholic University Of America came in at #25 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $23,843. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $65,120. Set against $23,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Philosophy Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s philosophy value ranking:
Narrow Philosophy Schools by State
View All Philosophy Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 178 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
