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2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

79 Ranked Colleges
804 Degrees Awarded
$36,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Philosophy is the 81st most popular major in the country with 10,015 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, philosophy graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,067 and had an average of $22,199 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 804 philosophy graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 79 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in philosophy. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent philosophy programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the philosophy program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Philosophy (Income $0-$30k)

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 79 schools in the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 2 masters’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760.

Full UPenn Philosophy Report

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s philosophy degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #9 spot in our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read full report on Philosophy at Northwestern University

#3

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 79 schools in the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #3 spot on the list. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 2 masters’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Read more about Philosophy at UChicago

#4

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Cornell University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Ithaca, New York, and it awarded 7 masters’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell also made our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cornell Philosophy Report

#5

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. UF is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Philosophy at UF

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s philosophy degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Philosophy Report

#7

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#14 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 1 degrees to qualified masters’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Philosophy at Vanderbilt University

#8

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#15 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Philosophy Report

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 5 masters’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree philosophy students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Philosophy Report

#10

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Boston College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston College is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It awarded 24 masters’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree philosophy students whose families make $0-$30k list, Boston College has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Boston College Philosophy Report

#3 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 15 masters’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Read full report on Philosophy at Columbia

#12

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 12 degrees to qualified masters’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree philosophy students whose families make $0-$30k list, Florida State has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707.

Read more about Philosophy at Florida State University

#13

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts
#12 in overall quality

Tufts University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tufts is located in Medford, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree philosophy students whose families make $0-$30k list, Tufts has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Tufts University are $55,168.

Read more about Philosophy at Tufts

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 2 masters’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Philosophy at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#15

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Emory University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 4 masters’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Emory did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676.

Read full report on Philosophy at Emory

With a ranking of #16, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s philosophy degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSULB Philosophy Report

University of California - Irvine landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Irvine Philosophy Report

#18

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s philosophy degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Philosophy at University of Notre Dame

#19

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree philosophy students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read full report on Philosophy at UCLA

#20

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 3 masters’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of Georgia

#21

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Philosophy at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

With a ranking of #22, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. ASU - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Philosophy Report

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. USF Tampa is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 2 masters’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126.

Read more about Philosophy at USF Tampa

#23 in overall quality

University of California - Davis landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 3 masters’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also made our “Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Philosophy at University of California - Davis

#25

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s philosophy degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Philosophy at UCR

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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