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 38 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.
Rice University tops our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools in Texas. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas At San Antonio one of the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #3 place for philosophy. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $14,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Houston one of the best values for philosophy. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $23,650 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at University Of North Texas, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #6 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #7 spot for philosophy value this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #8 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. 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. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Texas placed #9 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $58,265. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #10 among the best values for philosophy. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $18,676 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $40,881. That is a strong return on a $18,676 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University earned the #11 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #12 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $30,058. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dallas ranked #13 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. In-state tuition and fees average $53,930. Students borrow a median of $23,411 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Dallas generally make around $58,396. Set against $23,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University landed the #14 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University came in at #15 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $23,928. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $49,888. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.