2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 56 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy & religious studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy & religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in philosophy & religious studies in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $17,217. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $24,048. Set against $17,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $13,122. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $33,937. Set against $13,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #3. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $35,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $21,168. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Florida International University one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $13,134. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $31,583 early in their careers. Set against $13,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #6 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,359. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $27,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
American Public University System came in at #7 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $21,372. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $57,404. Set against $21,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #8 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $20,015. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Orleans came in at #10 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,172 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,048 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #11 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #12 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $22,527. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $20,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Old Dominion University placed #13 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University came in at #14 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $27,004. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University came in at #15 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $24,174. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $44,926. That is a strong return on a $24,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #16 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Georgia Southern University landed the #17 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $45,531. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $42,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #19 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,697 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $30,655. Set against $24,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Southern Wesleyan University landed the #20 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,800. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $22,012 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Southern Wesleyan University generally make around $28,636. Set against $22,012 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #21 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $24,135 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Georgia State University came in at #22 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
George Mason University came in at #23 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary came in at #24 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $16,750. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas placed #25 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $24,019. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in philosophy & religious studies:
Narrow Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools by State
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. 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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
