2027 Best Value Philosophy Schools in District of Columbia
[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 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy students.
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2027 Best Value Philosophy Schools in District of Columbia
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
Catholic University Of America earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy schools in District of Columbia. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,378. Students borrow a median of $23,843 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $65,120. Set against $23,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at George Washington University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $79,632. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.
A rank of #4 makes American University one of the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of American University earn a median of $58,030 early in their careers. Set against $24,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
