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2026 Best Value Philosophy Schools in North Carolina

3 Colleges in the United States
$21,024 Avg Student Debt
$62,734 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Philosophy Badge [Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for philosophy students.

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2026 Best Value Philosophy Schools in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Philosophy Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in philosophy in North Carolina. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for philosophy. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $22,527. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $20,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes Appalachian State University one of the best values for philosophy. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $42,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $29,251 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

5

North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,135 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.

6
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University earned the #6 position for value in philosophy this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 20 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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