2027 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 229 schools to find the best return on investment for philosophy & religious studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the philosophy & religious studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for philosophy & religious studies in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for philosophy & religious studies. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $14,125. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $27,926. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,217 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $24,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,217 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $10,363. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $18,700. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $43,311 early in their careers. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton landed the #7 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,525. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $30,171 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #8 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $13,122. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $33,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
California State University Northridge earned the #9 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $13,483. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $22,387. Set against $13,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #10 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,875. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $35,179. Set against $19,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #11 spot for philosophy & religious studies value 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, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #12 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,034. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $29,326. Set against $15,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #13 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $21,168. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #14 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. 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%.
Utah Valley University earned the #15 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,636. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $43,699. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #16 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $17,226. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University landed the #17 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $13,134 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $31,583. Set against $13,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Stanford University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University Fresno ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $15,000. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $20,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #20 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #21 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $19,281 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $51,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #22 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $21,510 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $37,885. That is a strong return on a $21,510 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #23 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #24 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $30,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Sonoma State University came in at #25 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, compared with $21,224 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s philosophy & religious studies value ranking:
Other Philosophy & Religious Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Philosophy & Religious Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 229 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 229 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.
