2026 Best Value Social & Philosophical Foundations of Education Schools in the Far Western Region
[Social & Philosophical Foundations of Education](/majors/education/education-philosophy/social-and-philosophical-foundations-of-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for social & philosophical foundations of education students.
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2026 Best Value Social & Philosophical Foundations of Education Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social & philosophical foundations of education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social & Philosophical Foundations of Education Schools
California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among social & philosophical foundations of education schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the social & philosophical foundations of education program here. Soon after graduation, social & philosophical foundations of education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #2 place for social & philosophical foundations of education. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social & philosophical foundations of education graduates is $15,671. Early-career social & philosophical foundations of education graduates make about $45,488. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social & philosophical foundations of education schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social & philosophical foundations of education graduates is $20,577. Early-career social & philosophical foundations of education graduates make about $48,181. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social & philosophical foundations of education will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the social & philosophical foundations of education program here. Social & Philosophical Foundations Of Education graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Riverside earned it the #5 place for social & philosophical foundations of education. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Social & Philosophical Foundations Of Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Social & Philosophical Foundations Of Education graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $23,447 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #6 for value in social & philosophical foundations of education this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete the social & philosophical foundations of education program here. Social & Philosophical Foundations Of Education graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Hope International University came in at #7 for value in social & philosophical foundations of education this year. Hope International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,125. Typical student debt for social & philosophical foundations of education graduates is $24,656. Soon after graduation, social & philosophical foundations of education degree recipients from Hope International University generally make around $61,817. That is a strong return on a $24,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
