by our College Data Analytics Team
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong philosophy & religious studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1273 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy & religious studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy & religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary tops our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,359. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $27,072. Set against $25,359 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes San Francisco State University one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $28,539. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #5 place for philosophy & religious studies. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
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Georgia State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $27,000. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #7 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $33,392. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Suny At Albany placed #8 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #9 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $20,062 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $52,668 early in their careers. Set against $20,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Ner Israel Rabbinical College came in at #10 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, Ner Israel Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $10,600 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,330 ten years after entry. Ner Israel Rabbinical College admits about 66% of applicants.
Wayland Baptist University landed the #11 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. In-state tuition and fees average $23,782. Students borrow a median of $30,204 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $51,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Maharishi University Of Management landed the #12 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,530. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Maharishi University Of Management earn a median of $73,644 early in their careers. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #13 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $17,921. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $72,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Beth Medrash Govoha placed #14 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Lakewood, Beth Medrash Govoha is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,780. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Beth Medrash Govoha earn a median of $29,393 early in their careers.
Johnson University earned the #15 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,122. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Johnson University generally make around $34,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #16 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,218. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,218 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Cornerstone University came in at #17 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Students borrow a median of $29,243 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $44,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #18 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,100. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $32,165. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Friends University placed #19 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Wichita, Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,192. Students borrow a median of $29,721 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $46,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Touro College placed #20 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $20,052. Students borrow a median of $20,285 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Touro College generally make around $60,520. That is a strong return on a $20,285 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Crown College came in at #22 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Crown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,410. Students borrow a median of $29,537 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $56,689. Set against $29,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Crown College admits about 23% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $61,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Selma University landed the #24 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the town of Selma, Selma University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800.
Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz earn a median of $9,428 early in their careers. Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz admits about 87% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in philosophy & religious studies:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Philosophy & Religious Studies rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 1273 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.