by our College Data Analytics Team
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 180 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value philosophy schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the philosophy degrees they offer, see the list below.
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. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the philosophy program here. 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 #3. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $27,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. 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. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $24,048. That is a strong return on a $17,217 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #6 spot for philosophy value this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $18,700. 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. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #7 for value in philosophy this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton landed the #8 spot for philosophy value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $30,171 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Central Florida placed #9 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $35,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
California State University Northridge earned the #10 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #11 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #12 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,034 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $29,326 early in their careers. Set against $15,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #13 for value in philosophy this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. 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. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #14 among the best values for philosophy. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Stanford University earned the #15 position for value in philosophy this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #16 for value in philosophy this year. 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. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University came in at #17 for value in philosophy this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $15,636. Philosophy graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $43,699 early in their careers. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #18 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Florida International University landed the #19 spot for philosophy value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,134 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $31,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #20 position for value in philosophy this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,510 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $37,885 early in their careers. Set against $21,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
California State University Fresno placed #21 among the best values for philosophy. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $20,354 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $19,281 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $51,087. That is a strong return on a $19,281 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #23 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Sonoma State University placed #24 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $30,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
These schools also delivered strong value for philosophy this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Philosophy rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 180 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 180 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
