2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[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 1273 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy & religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy & religious studies schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies 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. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $30,851. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,217 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $24,048. Set against $17,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $18,700 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $43,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Princeton University came in at #6 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $10,888. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $13,389. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $33,339 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
California State University Fullerton ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,525. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $30,171. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University earned the #9 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #10 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $27,926. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #11 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $10,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #12 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $14,688. Philosophy & Religious Studies 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #13 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
California State University Northridge ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $13,483. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $21,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #15 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,875. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $35,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
California State University Long Beach placed #16 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,281. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. That is a strong return on a $19,281 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $42,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #19 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $49,427. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Florida ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $49,208. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
American Public University System landed the #21 spot for philosophy & religious studies value 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.
California State University Fresno earned the #22 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $20,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Utah Valley University placed #23 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $15,636 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $43,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,122 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $34,004. That is a strong return on a $13,122 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #25 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for philosophy & religious studies this year:
Other Philosophy & Religious Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value philosophy & religious studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 1273 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 99 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.
