2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong philosophy & religious studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 69 schools to find the best return on investment for philosophy & religious studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
For return on investment in philosophy & religious studies, no school beat Princeton University this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $10,363 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $27,926. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $43,311 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #5 place for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Elyon College came in at #6 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,620 in tuition and fees.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #7 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $20,164. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $35,608 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University earned the #8 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,286. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $44,369. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware earned the #9 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $24,861. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #10 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Stony Brook University earned the #11 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #12 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $21,530. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $41,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Elim Bible Institute And College came in at #13 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the rural area of Lima, Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,678 in tuition and fees. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $11,998 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $18,339. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Bais Medrash Toras Chesed placed #14 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Lakewood, Bais Medrash Toras Chesed is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,100. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $20,062 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $52,668. Set against $20,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Rowan University landed the #16 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Talmudical Academy New Jersey landed the #17 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Talmudical Academy New Jersey is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Adelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,800. Median earnings reach $40,344 ten years out. Talmudical Academy New Jersey admits about 44% of applicants.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Yeshiva Toras Chaim is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,526 ten years after entry. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Monroe, Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,500. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel generally make around $22,543.
Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland landed the #20 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,000. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $29,861. Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland admits about 37% of applicants.
Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute earned the #21 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,600. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,192 ten years after entry. Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute admits about 89% of applicants.
Yeshivath Viznitz ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Monsey, Yeshivath Viznitz is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Yeshivath Viznitz generally make around $13,078.
Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary came in at #23 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $15,200 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary generally make around $15,903. Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary admits about 80% of applicants.
Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Spring Valley, Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,300. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary generally make around $11,674.
Swarthmore College landed the #25 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for philosophy & religious studies this year:
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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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 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.
