2026 Best Value Philosophy Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy Schools
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #2 place for philosophy. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $12,678. Philosophy graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $30,851 early in their careers. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $18,700. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $43,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,125. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $27,926. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $10,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny City College placed #6 among the best values for philosophy. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $33,339. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #7 position for value in philosophy this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $14,688. Philosophy graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Suny At Albany ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $23,521. Philosophy graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,062 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $52,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Hamilton College came in at #10 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,960. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $16,131. Philosophy graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $48,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Colgate University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy schools. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $52,924. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Colgate University admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Rochester landed the #12 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Cornell University came in at #13 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $75,976. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Skidmore College placed #14 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $18,274. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Skidmore College generally make around $34,440. That is a strong return on a $18,274 median debt. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
New York University came in at #15 for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $24,128 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $40,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Syracuse University came in at #16 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $23,250. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $35,602. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Fordham University came in at #17 for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $22,999 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. Set against $22,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
The New School landed the #18 spot for philosophy value this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $24,460. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $38,468. That is a strong return on a $24,460 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 73 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.
