2027 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy students.
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2027 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the The Plains States 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
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $31,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #2 place for philosophy. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $56,289. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #3 place for philosophy. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Washington University In St Louis one of the best values for philosophy. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Gustavus Adolphus College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,197 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $26,260 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $57,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
St Olaf College came in at #7 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $40,848. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Carleton College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,892. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.
Benedictine College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $24,990. Philosophy graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $46,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #10 position for value in philosophy this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $18,201 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Set against $18,201 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Notes and References
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
