2026 Best Value Philosophy Schools in Florida

[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong philosophy education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for philosophy students.
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2026 Best Value Philosophy Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy schools in Florida. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,217 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $24,048 early in their careers. Set against $17,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $13,134. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $31,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 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. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the philosophy program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Gulf Coast University earned it the #4 place for philosophy. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $20,015. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of North Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $49,208 early in their careers. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #6 spot for philosophy value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $19,875. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $35,179. Set against $19,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #7 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,359 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $27,072. That is a strong return on a $25,359 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Ave Maria University came in at #8 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the rural area of Ave Maria, Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,198. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $19,801. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Ave Maria University generally make around $40,866. Set against $19,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Saint Thomas University placed #9 among the best values for philosophy. Saint Thomas University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami Gardens. Students from in state pay about $34,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,955 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Saint Thomas University generally make around $55,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.