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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the philosophy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Rice University the best value for a degree in philosophy in the Southwest Region. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $13,000. Philosophy graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $14,151 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $20,542. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at University Of Houston, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $23,650. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Set against $23,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
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Arizona State University landed the #6 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $40,286. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #7 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $37,231. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #8 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $21,632. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Arizona earned the #9 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $34,289. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #10 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #11 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $20,531. Philosophy graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #12 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $27,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $23,628. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #14 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $18,676 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $40,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,676 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,095 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $26,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas Tech University earned the #16 position for value in philosophy this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $24,271. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $30,058. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dallas ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,930. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $23,411. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Dallas generally make around $58,396. That is a strong return on a $23,411 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Southern Methodist University came in at #19 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $42,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Baylor University landed the #20 spot for philosophy value this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.