by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value philosophy schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the philosophy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy schools in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $10,363. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. 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. That is a strong return on a $18,700 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #4 place for philosophy. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #5 makes Stony Brook University one of the best values for philosophy. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #6 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $41,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #7 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $20,062 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $52,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Manhattan College placed #8 among the best values for philosophy. Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,400. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $61,065. Set against $25,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Manhattan College admits about 79% of applicants.
Cornell University earned the #9 position for value in philosophy this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
St Lawrence University placed #10 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. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $26,192 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from St Lawrence University generally make around $39,993. Set against $26,192 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Colgate University landed the #11 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Barnard College landed the #12 spot for philosophy value this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,888. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $50,790 early in their careers. Set against $17,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Hamilton College landed the #13 spot for philosophy value this year. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,960. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $16,131. Philosophy graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $48,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt. Hamilton College admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Rochester landed the #14 spot for philosophy value this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $60,865. That is a strong return on a $21,517 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
St Johns University New York earned the #15 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,521 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $57,686 early in their careers. Set against $25,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Hobart William Smith Colleges placed #16 among the best values for philosophy. Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Geneva. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,928. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Hobart William Smith Colleges earn a median of $41,384 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Hofstra University earned the #17 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,660. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $55,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
New York University came in at #18 for value in philosophy this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,128 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of New York University earn a median of $40,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $35,602. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Vassar College placed #20 among the best values for philosophy. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. In-state tuition and fees average $71,030. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $18,486 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $37,412 early in their careers. Set against $18,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Fordham University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $22,999 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $59,403. Set against $22,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
The New School came in at #22 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from The New School generally make around $38,468. Set against $24,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.