by our College Data Analytics Team
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong philosophy education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value philosophy schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Harvard University tops our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Boston earned it the #2 place for philosophy. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $26,236. Philosophy graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $36,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Wellesley College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $48,902. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #4. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $40,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
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Boston University came in at #6 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $40,377. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Northeastern University came in at #7 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. Set against $25,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Brandeis University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Students borrow a median of $25,653 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $47,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,653 median debt. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Tufts University earned the #9 position for value in philosophy this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $17,074. Philosophy graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Boston College landed the #10 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.