[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1273 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy & religious studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies School for You
The philosophy & religious studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy & religious studies schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $11,691. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $61,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #3. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $14,430. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $12,678. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $30,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #5. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,217 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $24,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #6 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $18,700 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $43,311. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny City College placed #7 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $33,339 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #9 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton landed the #10 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $30,171. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University landed the #11 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Stanford University landed the #12 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Pasadena City College earned the #13 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #14 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $27,926. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #15 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $11,091. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $10,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #16 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rice University came in at #17 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $13,483 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $21,887 early in their careers. Set against $13,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #19 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #20 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,875. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $35,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
El Camino Community College District earned the #21 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
California State University Long Beach ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,281. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #23 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $21,168 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #24 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $42,072 early in their careers. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #25 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in philosophy & religious studies:
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 · 1273 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 100 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).
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
