2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy & religious studies students.
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2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy & religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Leading the list is California State University Los Angeles, our #1 best value for philosophy & religious studies in the United States. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #2 place for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,359. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $27,072. Set against $25,359 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,209. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $52,308. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
San Francisco State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $28,539. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Holy Apostles College And Seminary earned the #6 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Cromwell, Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,580 in tuition and fees.
Georgia State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $51,103. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Harvard University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Texas Tech University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $24,271. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Maharishi University Of Management placed #10 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,530. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Maharishi University Of Management earn a median of $73,644 early in their careers. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #11 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #12 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $74,388 early in their careers. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #13 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $20,062 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $52,668. Set against $20,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Wayland Baptist University placed #14 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,782. Students borrow a median of $30,204 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Wayland Baptist University earn a median of $51,930 early in their careers. Set against $30,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #15 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $72,222. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.
Beth Medrash Govoha placed #16 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Lakewood, Beth Medrash Govoha is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,780. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $29,393.
Ner Israel Rabbinical College placed #17 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Ner Israel Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pikesville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,600. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,330 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Yale University came in at #18 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Johnson University landed the #19 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,122. Students borrow a median of $23,819 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $34,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #20 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,100. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $32,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Crown College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,410 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $29,537. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Crown College earn a median of $56,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Crown College admits about 23% of applicants.
Denver Seminary ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Denver Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Denver Seminary earn a median of $46,243 early in their careers.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #23 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,639. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $61,465 early in their careers. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Friends University earned the #24 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,192. Students borrow a median of $29,721 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Friends University earn a median of $46,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,721 median debt. Friends University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #25 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $19,240 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $27,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in philosophy & religious studies:
Other Philosophy & Religious Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Philosophy & Religious Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
