2027 Best Value Philosophy Schools in North Carolina

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy students.
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2027 Best Value Philosophy Schools in North Carolina
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 North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools in North Carolina. 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. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $34,284. That is a strong return on a $15,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #2 place for philosophy. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $22,527 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $20,287 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,527 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Western Carolina University one of the best values for philosophy. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $44,926. That is a strong return on a $24,174 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #4. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $29,251. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Appalachian State University one of the best values for philosophy. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $42,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #6 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $24,135. Philosophy graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. Set against $24,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Wake Forest University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $67,369. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.