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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

22 Colleges in the United States
$22,321 Avg Student Debt
$60,545 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 255 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools.

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2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy & religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in philosophy & religious studies in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $17,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

University Of Central Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. 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. That is a strong return on a $19,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $13,122. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $33,926. Set against $13,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $21,168. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. The acceptance rate is 75%.

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6

American Public University System ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,372 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

University Of North Florida landed the #7 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $18,523. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $49,208 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

8

Florida International University placed #8 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,134 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $31,583. Set against $13,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

9

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #9 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

10
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #10 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,359 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $27,072. That is a strong return on a $25,359 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

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11

University Of Georgia placed #11 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #12 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $22,527 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $20,287. Set against $22,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #13 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $24,697 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $30,749. That is a strong return on a $24,697 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.

14

Appalachian State University earned the #14 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $42,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

15

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #15 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,135 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Georgia State University earned the #16 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

17

University Of Louisville earned the #17 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $58,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,910 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

18

Georgia Southern University placed #18 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #19 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $26,162. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $55,413. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

20

The University Of Tennessee ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

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21
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. In-state tuition and fees average $30,000. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $39,471 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $49,458. Set against $39,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

22

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #22 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $26,192. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.

23

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #23 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,875. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $20,222. Set against $19,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

24
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington landed the #24 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,825 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $43,243. Set against $22,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.

25
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN

Johnson University landed the #25 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,122. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $23,819. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $34,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for philosophy & religious studies this year:

26
27
28
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
29
30
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
31
32
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
33
Ave Maria University crest
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, FL
34
Saint Thomas University crest
Saint Thomas University
Miami Gardens, FL
35
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
36
37
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
38
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
39
40

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 255 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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