[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong philosophy education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 198 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy students.
Where you study philosophy affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Philosophy Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Philosophy Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in philosophy, no school beat Princeton University this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for philosophy. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,430. Soon after graduation, philosophy 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,125. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $27,926 early in their careers. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $10,363. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of Florida came in at #6 for value in philosophy this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,217 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $24,048. That is a strong return on a $17,217 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College placed #7 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $43,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #8 position for value in philosophy this year. 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, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,408 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $34,284 early in their careers. Set against $15,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton earned the #9 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $30,171 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $35,179. That is a strong return on a $19,875 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #11 for value in philosophy this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $20,822 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,688. Philosophy graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #13 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,034 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $29,326. That is a strong return on a $15,034 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #14 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $21,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #15 for value in philosophy this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #16 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $49,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Stanford University earned the #17 position for value in philosophy this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #18 among the best values for philosophy. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $13,000. Philosophy graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $14,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Utah Valley University earned the #19 position for value in philosophy this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,636 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $43,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #20 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Florida International University placed #21 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $13,134 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $31,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #22 for value in philosophy this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $21,510 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $37,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #23 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $20,354. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #24 among the best values for philosophy. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $19,281. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $51,087. That is a strong return on a $19,281 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $9,980. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Philosophy Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for philosophy this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 198 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 198 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).
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong philosophy education at a price that pays off.
