2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1273 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy & religious studies students.
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2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the philosophy & religious studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy & religious studies schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $17,075. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at Santa Rosa Junior College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #3 place for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes El Camino Community College District one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Santa Barbara City College came in at #6 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $1,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $68,184. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
Fullerton College earned the #7 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Los Angeles Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $81,600. Set against $10,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elyon College earned the #9 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,620.
Yeshiva Derech Chaim ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Yeshiva Derech Chaim is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,700. Yeshiva Derech Chaim admits about 88% of applicants.
Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,600. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,192. Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute admits about 89% of applicants.
Seminary Bnos Chaim placed #12 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Lakewood, Seminary Bnos Chaim is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,150 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Seminary Bnos Chaim generally make around $29,430. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,000. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $29,861. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Ohio Christian University landed the #14 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,190 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,042 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Ohio Christian University earn a median of $31,410 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Christian University admits about 38% of applicants.
Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz earned the #15 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz generally make around $9,428. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University placed #16 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $36,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Yeshiva University landed the #17 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,800. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $20,625. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Yeshiva University generally make around $52,838. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Other Philosophy & Religious Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value philosophy & religious studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1273 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
