2027 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy students.
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2027 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the philosophy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Philosophy Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Sacred Heart Major Seminary one of the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,140. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,295 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Wisconsin Superior landed the #6 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,845 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $45,219 early in their careers. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago earned the #7 position for value in philosophy this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $22,641 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $22,641 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $21,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #9 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $23,380 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $31,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #10 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #11 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $24,216. Philosophy graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $35,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,216 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $26,247. Philosophy graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $39,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,247 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo landed the #13 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $24,923. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Depauw University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greencastle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,070. Students borrow a median of $26,174 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Depauw University generally make around $46,127. Set against $26,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depauw University admits about 57% of applicants.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #15 among the best values for philosophy. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $32,165. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #16 spot for philosophy value this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,685 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $43,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University placed #17 among the best values for philosophy. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $78,551. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University earned the #18 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $25,340. Philosophy graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #19 spot for philosophy value this year. 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. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Kenyon College came in at #20 for value in philosophy this year. Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Gambier. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,520. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $18,114. Philosophy graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of $37,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,114 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Oberlin College earned the #21 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,366. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $24,759. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
