2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in New York
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 143 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 New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy & religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for philosophy & religious studies in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $61,459. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $43,311. That is a strong return on a $18,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $33,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #5 place for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $14,125. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $27,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College placed #6 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $11,091. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $10,363 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #7 spot for philosophy & religious studies value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Elyon College placed #8 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,620.
Suny At Albany earned the #9 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary placed #10 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the rural area of Ossining, Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,200. Median earnings reach $36,442 ten years out.
Yeshivath Viznitz earned the #11 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Yeshivath Viznitz is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Monsey. In-state tuition and fees average $12,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Yeshivath Viznitz generally make around $13,078.
Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,200. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov earn a median of $17,618 early in their careers. Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov admits about 98% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #13 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $20,062 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $52,668. That is a strong return on a $20,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel earned the #14 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Monroe, Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,500. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $22,543.
Elim Bible Institute And College placed #15 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the rural area of Lima, Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,678. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $11,998 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $18,339. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Yeshiva Karlin Stolin landed the #16 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Yeshiva Karlin Stolin is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,000.
Bet Medrash Gadol Ateret Torah ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Bet Medrash Gadol Ateret Torah is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,700. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary earned the #18 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Spring Valley, Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,300. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary generally make around $11,674.
Yeshiva Dmonsey Rabbinical College landed the #19 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Monsey, Yeshiva Dmonsey Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,200. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary landed the #20 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,200. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary earn a median of $15,903 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Yeshiva Of Nitra Rabbinical College placed #21 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Yeshiva Of Nitra Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,000. Median earnings reach $41,785 ten years out.
Yeshiva Derech Chaim landed the #22 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Yeshiva Derech Chaim is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,700. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
United Talmudical Seminary ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, United Talmudical Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,000. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $17,779.
Talmudical Seminary Oholei Torah placed #24 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Talmudical Seminary Oholei Torah is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,230 ten years after entry. Talmudical Seminary Oholei Torah admits about 77% of applicants.
Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College earned the #25 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $13,500. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College generally make around $18,546. Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College admits about 100% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for philosophy & religious studies this year:
More Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings
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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 · 143 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
