2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in California
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
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in philosophy & religious studies in California. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $17,075. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $9,384. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $9,191. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Rosa Junior College earned it the #5 place for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $30,171 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
El Camino Community College District came in at #7 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
California State University Fresno placed #8 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. 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%.
California State University Northridge placed #9 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $21,887. Set against $13,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #10 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $19,281 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Barbara City College came in at #11 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fullerton College came in at #12 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Stanford University landed the #13 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. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #14 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #15 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Los Angeles Valley College placed #16 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. Set against $10,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California San Diego earned the #17 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $15,832 in student loans. 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. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine placed #18 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,705 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $20,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #19 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. 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, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #20 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Sonoma State University came in at #21 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,000. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside landed the #22 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $19,022 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $25,171. Set against $19,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $15,698 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $22,222. Set against $15,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $30,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #25 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $14,475. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $36,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for philosophy & religious studies this year:
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 159 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
