2026 Best Value Philosophy Schools in North Carolina

[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.
What’s on this page:
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
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
View All Philosophy Rankings >
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.
- 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.