2026 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy Schools
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for philosophy. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $52,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for philosophy. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,510 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $37,885. Set against $21,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #4 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for philosophy. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point one of the best values for philosophy. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $23,380 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $31,662. Set against $23,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $21,824. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $24,216 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $35,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #9 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $34,666. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for philosophy. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,247 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $39,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Chicago landed the #11 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $22,641 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #12 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,100 in tuition and fees. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $32,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Tiffin University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,790. Students borrow a median of $30,977 to complete the philosophy program here. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $51,326. That is a strong return on a $30,977 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #14 among the best values for philosophy. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Students borrow a median of $23,685 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. Set against $23,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame earned the #15 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $20,793 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $69,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #16 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Dayton ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $25,033. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $56,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #18 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $25,530. Philosophy graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Set against $25,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 155 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong philosophy education at a price that pays off.
