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2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

59 Ranked Colleges
415 Degrees Awarded
$37,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Philosophy is the 82nd most popular major in the country with 9,456 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 415 philosophy graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 59 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in philosophy. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent philosophy programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the philosophy program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The philosophy school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Philosophy (Income $0-$30k)

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UPenn is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 10 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Philosophy at University of Pennsylvania

#2

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s philosophy degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Duke also made our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140.

Read more about Philosophy at Duke

#3

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 3 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Full Northwestern University Philosophy Report

#4

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $0-$30k list, UChicago has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Read more about Philosophy at UChicago

#11 in overall quality

Out of the 59 schools in the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Read more about Philosophy at U-M

#6

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Vanderbilt is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Vanderbilt Philosophy Report

#7

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#4 in overall quality

Cornell University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ithaca, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s philosophy degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Cornell also made our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Philosophy at Cornell

#8

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#19 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Philosophy Report

#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#3 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Columbia Philosophy Report

#23 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294.

Read more about Philosophy at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#12

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#8 in overall quality

Emory University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Emory also made our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Emory Philosophy Report

#13

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

Boston College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Boston College is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It awarded 7 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boston College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Philosophy at Boston College

#14

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#10 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read full report on Philosophy at Notre Dame

With a ranking of #15, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Philosophy Report

#16

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Florida State University is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Philosophy at Florida State

#24 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s philosophy degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also took the #24 spot in our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Irvine Philosophy Report

#18

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#17 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s philosophy degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Full UCLA Philosophy Report

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 4 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Philosophy at Ohio State University - Main Campus

With a ranking of #20, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#21

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#21 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 5 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Read full report on Philosophy at UC Berkeley

#22

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#12 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This large school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of Virginia

#23

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. University of Georgia is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Philosophy at UGA

#16 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 10 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of California - Davis

#25

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Philosophy at University of California - Riverside

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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