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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Philosophy (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

25 Ranked Colleges
1,097 Degrees Awarded
$14,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 9,456 people earned their degree in philosophy, making the major the 82nd most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,283 philosophy graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,097 philosophy graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,075 and $25,381 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 25 colleges that offer a degree 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Philosophy (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 21 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $3,995 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern University.

The low student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Philosophy at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 70 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $2,800 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Philosophy at UChicago

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 36 degrees to qualified bachelors’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #3 spot in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,887 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Philosophy at U-M

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 54 bachelors’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $6,860 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 30 degrees to qualified bachelors’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,609 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Notre Dame.

The student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Notre Dame Philosophy Report

#7 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $10,037 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

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

#9 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 29 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,464 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Philosophy at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#8

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#18 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s philosophy degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $6,192 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Philosophy at IU Bloomington

#9

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Stevens Point, Wisconsin
#15 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Stevens Point not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $11,433 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - Stevens Point.

Read full report on Philosophy at UW - Stevens Point

#10

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
#12 in overall quality

Grand Valley State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school awarded 16 degrees to qualified bachelors’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $12,459 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grand Valley State University.

The low student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Philosophy at Grand Valley State University

#11

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Illinois State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s philosophy degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $14,999 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Illinois State Philosophy Report

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s philosophy degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $18,106 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full UC Philosophy Report

#13

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Wheaton, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 17 degrees to qualified bachelors’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wheaton College Illinois has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,212 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Philosophy at Wheaton College Illinois

#14

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 11 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM also took the #21 spot in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $14,957 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Philosophy at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#15

Hanover College

Hanover, Indiana
#14 in overall quality

Hanover College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Hanover, Indiana, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Hanover also took the #14 spot in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hanover is $15,481 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Philosophy at Hanover College

#16 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 bachelors’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

Kent State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kent State University at Kent is $15,374 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Kent State Philosophy Report

#17

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#24 in overall quality

Central Michigan University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $12,127 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Central Michigan University Philosophy Report

#13 in overall quality

Franciscan University of Steubenville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit institution located in Steubenville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Franciscan U also made our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Franciscan U is $19,812 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Franciscan U Philosophy Report

#19

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Lake Forest College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lake Forest is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lake Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest also made our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Lake Forest College is $19,152 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Philosophy at Lake Forest

#20

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 11 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Eastern Michigan, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,136 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern Michigan University.

Read full report on Philosophy at Eastern Michigan

#21

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Western Michigan University is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,276 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend WMU.

Full WMU Philosophy Report

#22

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Marquette University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Marquette University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 16 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k list, Marquette has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,955 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Marquette University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Marquette Philosophy Report

#23

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Elmhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k list, Elmhurst has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst University is $17,837 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Philosophy at Elmhurst

#24

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

DePaul University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. DePaul is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 17 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DePaul, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DePaul University is $25,842 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Philosophy at DePaul University

#25

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also made our “Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola University Chicago is $29,788 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree philosophy students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Loyola Chicago Philosophy Report

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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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