2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Our analysis ranked Purdue University Main Campus the best value for a degree in philosophy & religious studies in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #2 place for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,209. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $52,308. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,510 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $37,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,510 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Wayne State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #5 place for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $21,824. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #6 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $20,542. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #7 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $23,380. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $31,662 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,380 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Hebrew Theological College earned the #8 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Skokie, Hebrew Theological College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $15,150 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $33,291 ten years out. Hebrew Theological College admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #9 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $24,216. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $35,975. Set against $24,216 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #10 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,500. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $33,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $26,247 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $39,971. Set against $26,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Chicago landed the #12 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $22,641. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University landed the #13 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Wabash College placed #14 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Wabash College earn a median of $26,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Cornerstone University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $29,243. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $44,501. That is a strong return on a $29,243 median debt. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.
Ohio Christian University came in at #16 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,190 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $31,021. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Ohio Christian University generally make around $31,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $32,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Tiffin University came in at #18 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,790. Students borrow a median of $30,977 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $51,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tiffin University admits about 80% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #19 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $23,685. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,685 median debt. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #20 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Students borrow a median of $20,793 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #21 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $55,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dayton placed #22 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $56,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago placed #23 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $58,568. Set against $25,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 189 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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 & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong philosophy & religious studies education at a price that pays off.
