2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 91 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy & religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Rice University earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy & religious studies schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,026. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $14,151 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $49,955. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $23,650. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. That is a strong return on a $23,650 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #6 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $21,684. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $40,286. That is a strong return on a $21,684 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Texas earned the #7 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $37,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #8 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #9 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $34,289. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #10 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #11 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $58,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #12 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $27,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #13 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #14 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $18,676. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $40,881. Set against $18,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $24,095 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $26,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #16 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Wayland Baptist University placed #17 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,782. Students borrow a median of $30,204 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $51,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #18 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $30,058. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dallas earned the #19 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irving. Students from in state pay about $53,930 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,411 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $58,396. Set against $23,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Dallas admits about 53% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University placed #20 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $42,334. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $25,612 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $31,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
Narrow Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools by State
More Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings
View All Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 91 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.
