2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in New York
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 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 New York
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 Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $10,363. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place 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. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $27,926. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $18,700. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $43,311 early in their careers. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at Cuny College Of Staten Island, which ranked #4. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Elyon College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,620.
Stony Brook University came in at #6 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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%.
Elim Bible Institute And College earned the #7 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,678. Students borrow a median of $11,998 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Elim Bible Institute And College earn a median of $18,339 early in their careers. Elim Bible Institute And College admits about 100% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #8 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $41,000 early in their careers. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel landed the #9 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Monroe, Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,500 in tuition and fees. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $22,543.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #10 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $20,062 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary placed #11 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,200. 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.
Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov placed #12 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,200. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $17,618. Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov admits about 98% of applicants.
Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary earned the #13 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Spring Valley, Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,300. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary earn a median of $11,674 early in their careers.
Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary earned the #14 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the rural area of Ossining, Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,442 ten years after entry.
Yeshivath Viznitz placed #15 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Yeshivath Viznitz is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Monsey. Students from in state pay about $12,000 in tuition and fees. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $13,078.
Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland landed the #16 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,000 in tuition and fees. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland earn a median of $29,861 early in their careers. Yeshiva Shaarei Torah Of Rockland admits about 37% of applicants.
Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute earned the #17 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Mirrer Yeshiva Cent Institute is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,600. Median earnings reach $41,192 ten years out. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Yeshiva Dmonsey Rabbinical College placed #18 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the suburb of Monsey, Yeshiva Dmonsey Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,200. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Yeshiva Karlin Stolin landed the #19 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Yeshiva Karlin Stolin is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,000.
United Talmudical Seminary ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, United Talmudical Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from United Talmudical Seminary generally make around $17,779.
Yeshiva Derech Chaim placed #21 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Yeshiva Derech Chaim is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $12,700 in tuition and fees. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Manhattan College came in at #22 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,400. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,968. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $61,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $10,000 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion generally make around $10,153.
Cornell University landed the #24 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,005. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Talmudical Seminary Oholei Torah earned the #25 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Talmudical Seminary Oholei Torah is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $8,750 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,230. Talmudical Seminary Oholei Torah admits about 77% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s philosophy & religious studies value ranking:
More Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings
View All Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
