by our College Data Analytics Team
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 40 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.
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for philosophy in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $10,888. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #2 place for philosophy. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $20,164 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $35,608 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $11,091. 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. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #4. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,125. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $27,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $43,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Montclair State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $44,369. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Delaware landed the #7 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $24,861. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #8 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #9 position for value in philosophy this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Stony Brook University landed the #10 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $60,047. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #11 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $41,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Rowan University placed #12 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $20,062 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $52,668. Set against $20,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Swarthmore College earned the #14 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #15 for value in philosophy this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $40,113 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Manhattan College placed #16 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,968 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of $61,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,968 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $73,053. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Cornell University earned the #18 position for value in philosophy this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
St Lawrence University placed #19 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the town of Canton, St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,900. Students borrow a median of $26,192 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from St Lawrence University generally make around $39,993. That is a strong return on a $26,192 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Colgate University earned the #20 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,306. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Barnard College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,888. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $17,609. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $50,790. Set against $17,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University earned the #22 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $28,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Hamilton College placed #23 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,960 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $16,131. Philosophy graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $48,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester placed #24 among the best values for philosophy. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $21,517. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #25 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $24,958. Philosophy graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in philosophy:
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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.