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2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in Maryland
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy & religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
For return on investment in philosophy & religious studies, no school beat University Of Maryland College Park this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $20,164 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $35,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Salisbury University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Students borrow a median of $23,545 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $45,476. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Towson University earned it the #3 place for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,697 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Set against $25,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Ner Israel Rabbinical College one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Ner Israel Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,600. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,330. Ner Israel Rabbinical College admits about 66% of applicants.
Notes and References
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
ADBLOCK #116
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
