2027 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the Southeast 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
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for philosophy in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,217 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $24,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,408 to complete the philosophy program here. 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. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #3. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $35,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for philosophy. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. 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.
Florida International University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $13,134 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $31,583. That is a strong return on a $13,134 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $22,862 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $25,359 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $27,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #8 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Georgia landed the #9 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of New Orleans placed #10 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,048 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. Set against $23,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #11 for value in philosophy this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $22,527 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $20,287. Set against $22,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Old Dominion University placed #12 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kennesaw State University placed #13 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $27,004. Philosophy graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Georgia Southern University came in at #14 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University landed the #15 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $44,926. That is a strong return on a $24,174 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University earned the #16 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $17,500. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $42,340. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #17 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $29,251 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #18 for value in philosophy this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,135 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. Set against $24,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University placed #19 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $51,103. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
George Mason University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
College Of William And Mary placed #21 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #22 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $26,162. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $55,413. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Arkansas earned the #23 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Louisville placed #24 among the best values for philosophy. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $58,534. That is a strong return on a $21,910 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #25 among the best values for philosophy. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Philosophy Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s philosophy value ranking:
Narrow Philosophy Schools by State
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Notes and References
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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
