2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for philosophy & religious studies students.
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2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy & religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
For return on investment in philosophy & religious studies, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,510 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $37,885. That is a strong return on a $21,510 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,844. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Wayne State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,000. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,209. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Sacred Heart Major Seminary came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,140. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Superior ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $45,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Superior admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $22,641. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $21,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #9 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,380 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $31,662. Set against $23,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #10 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #11 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $24,216. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $35,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,216 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,247 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $39,971 early in their careers. Set against $26,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Toledo landed the #13 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Depauw University came in at #14 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greencastle. In-state tuition and fees average $59,070. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,174 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Depauw University earn a median of $46,127 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depauw University admits about 57% of applicants.
Ohio Christian University earned the #15 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,190. Students borrow a median of $31,021 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Ohio Christian University generally make around $31,410. Set against $31,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #16 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $32,165 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #17 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,685 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $43,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Hope College placed #18 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $26,334. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $25,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.
Hebrew Theological College landed the #19 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Skokie, Hebrew Theological College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,150. Median earnings reach $33,291 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Northwestern University landed the #20 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #21 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Kenyon College placed #23 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,520. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $18,114. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $37,976. Set against $18,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Oberlin College came in at #24 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,366. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $24,759. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $25,146 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
