[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 264 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy & religious studies students.
Finding the Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies School for You
Where you study philosophy & religious studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in philosophy & religious studies, no school beat Princeton University this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $10,888. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $27,926. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $17,217 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $24,048. That is a strong return on a $17,217 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College placed #6 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $11,091. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $10,363 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #7 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $18,700 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $43,311. That is a strong return on a $18,700 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton earned the #8 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,525. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $30,171 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $13,122 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $33,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,122 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
California State University Northridge ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,483 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $22,387 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,483 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #11 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,875. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $35,179. Set against $19,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #12 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #13 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,034. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $29,326. That is a strong return on a $15,034 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #14 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies 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. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #16 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $14,151 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $43,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #18 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $49,427. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Florida International University came in at #19 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $13,134 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $31,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University landed the #20 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University Fresno came in at #21 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $20,354. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #22 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #23 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Long Beach City College placed #24 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. 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 & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s philosophy & religious studies value ranking:
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 · 264 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 264 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).
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
