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2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the philosophy & religious studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Swarthmore College tops our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools in Pennsylvania. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,500. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Temple University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $28,648. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #3 place for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $24,958. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $73,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
A rank of #5 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
