2026 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the Southeast Region
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong philosophy education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 148 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy students.
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2026 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the Southeast Region
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 University Of Florida the best value for a degree in philosophy in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $17,217. Philosophy graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $24,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for philosophy. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $21,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $35,179 early in their careers. Set against $19,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,408 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $34,284. That is a strong return on a $15,408 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
American Public University System came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $22,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. That is a strong return on a $22,862 median debt.
Florida International University placed #6 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $13,134 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $31,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #9 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $25,359 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $27,072. That is a strong return on a $25,359 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #11 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $22,527 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $20,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University earned the #12 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $17,500. Philosophy graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $42,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #13 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $25,000. Philosophy graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $29,251 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #14 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $24,135. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $59,622. Set against $24,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University earned the #15 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Louisville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $58,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Georgia State University earned the #17 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $51,103. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #18 for value in philosophy this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $55,413. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #19 position for value in philosophy this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #20 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $26,192. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $19,875. Philosophy graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $20,222 early in their careers. Set against $19,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Johnson University landed the #22 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,122. Students borrow a median of $23,819 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $34,290. Set against $23,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson University admits about 65% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Clemson University came in at #24 for value in philosophy this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $53,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary placed #25 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $16,750. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $53,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Philosophy Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for philosophy this year:
Narrow Philosophy Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 148 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
