2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy & religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy & religious studies schools in the Southwest Region. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $14,151. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $20,542. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $21,684. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $40,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Houston one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $23,650 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Set against $23,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $37,231. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #7 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Arizona came in at #8 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $34,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Texas Tech University came in at #10 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #11 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $24,095 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $26,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #12 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $27,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Texas landed the #13 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $23,628. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #14 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $18,676. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $40,881 early in their careers. Set against $18,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Wayland Baptist University landed the #16 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. Students from in state pay about $23,782 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $30,204. 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. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #17 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $30,058. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Dallas placed #18 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irving. Students from in state pay about $53,930 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,411 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Dallas earn a median of $58,396 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,411 median debt. University Of Dallas admits about 53% of applicants.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University landed the #19 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,064 in tuition and fees. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $31,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Southern Methodist University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $42,334. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,612 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $31,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
Narrow Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools by State
More Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
