2026 Best Value Applied & Professional Ethics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Applied & Professional Ethics](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/applied-and-professional-ethics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong applied & professional ethics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for applied & professional ethics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Applied & Professional Ethics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the applied & professional ethics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Applied & Professional Ethics Schools
Eastern Washington University earned the #1 spot for value among applied & professional ethics schools in the United States. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the applied & professional ethics program here. Early-career applied & professional ethics graduates make about $47,144. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for applied & professional ethics. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for applied & professional ethics graduates is $19,026. Applied & Professional Ethics graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for applied & professional ethics. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Applied & Professional Ethics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Applied & Professional Ethics graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value applied & professional ethics schools. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for applied & professional ethics graduates is $18,500. Applied & Professional Ethics graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #5 place for applied & professional ethics. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for applied & professional ethics graduates is $20,164. Applied & Professional Ethics graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $35,608 early in their careers. Set against $20,164 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Arizona earned the #6 position for value in applied & professional ethics this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the applied & professional ethics program here. Early-career applied & professional ethics graduates make about $50,834. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Montana earned the #7 position for value in applied & professional ethics this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for applied & professional ethics graduates is $24,342. Soon after graduation, applied & professional ethics degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in applied & professional ethics this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Applied & Professional Ethics graduates carry a median of $26,247 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied & professional ethics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $39,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #9 for value in applied & professional ethics this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Applied & Professional Ethics graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Applied & Professional Ethics graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value applied & professional ethics schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete the applied & professional ethics program here. Early-career applied & professional ethics graduates make about $58,568. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Other Applied & Professional Ethics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Applied & Professional Ethics rankings across degree levels:
View All Applied & Professional Ethics Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 44 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.
