2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 11 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 Rocky Mountains 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
Utah Valley University earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy & religious studies schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,636. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $43,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $36,307 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Utah State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $12,184. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at Metropolitan State College Of Denver, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $44,861 early in their careers. Set against $27,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #6 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $60,527. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $28,495. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $32,480. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #8 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $23,974. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $45,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #9 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,894 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $27,810. That is a strong return on a $18,894 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #10 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,218 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $55,861. Set against $25,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Northwest Nazarene University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,824. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $27,650 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $23,836. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.