2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for philosophy & religious studies in the Far Western Region. 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. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #5 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
California State University Fullerton placed #6 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $30,171 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
El Camino Community College District landed the #7 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
California State University Fresno ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,000. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $20,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Northridge earned the #9 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $13,483 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $21,887. That is a strong return on a $13,483 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #10 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $19,281 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $50,982. Set against $19,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Stanford University placed #11 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $13,500. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $42,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Barbara City College earned the #13 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,240 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento placed #14 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,034. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $29,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #15 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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Fullerton College earned the #16 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Los Angeles Valley College earned the #18 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public school located in the city of Valley Glen. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $10,254. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. That is a strong return on a $10,254 median debt.
University Of California San Diego ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,832 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $24,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Irvine ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,705 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $20,922 early in their careers. Set against $23,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
San Francisco State University earned the #22 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $28,539. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #23 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $42,072. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Eastern Washington University landed the #24 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Sonoma State University earned the #25 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in philosophy & religious studies:
Narrow Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 200 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
