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Philosophy and Religious Studies Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary delivers the nation's most affordable Philosophy and Religious Studies program at just $6,608 annually, creating an entry point for students who might otherwise avoid graduate-level theological education due to cost barriers. This price advantage becomes even more striking when compared to Christian Brothers University's $10,896 net cost, despite both institutions sharing similar religious foundations. Public universities like SUNY Old Westbury and Valdosta State offer competitive alternatives at $9,900 and $11,298 respectively, though their graduation rates of 46.6% and 41.7% trail behind Arizona State University's impressive 67.8% completion rate. The field connects directly to America's expanding interfaith dialogue sector, where religious literacy specialists earn median salaries of $45,000 annually in nonprofit organizations, chaplaincy programs, and conflict resolution centers. Philosophy and Religious Studies graduates increasingly find opportunities in corporate ethics consulting, where Fortune 500 companies pay $65,000-$85,000 for professionals who can navigate complex moral frameworks in business decision-making.
24
Programs
$6,608 – $19,655
Net Price Range
47.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

24 Philosophy and Religious Studies, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,608 $10,646 46.4% 80.0%
2 $9,900 $8,379 46.6% 92.1%
3 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
4 $11,298 $6,007 41.7% 89.5%
5 $12,168 $13,426 43.4% 82.6%
6 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
7 $14,334 $22,490 44.4% 57.9%
8 $14,528 $27,650 60.6% 66.8%
9 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
10 $14,873 $10,989 52.8% 94.2%
11 $14,879 $29,264 43.6% 60.7%
12 $15,074 $14,596 21.7% 51.5%
13 $15,133 $10,506 35.7% 80.3%
14 $15,360 $13,014 32.3%
15 $16,494 $18,900 55.9%
16 $17,622 $34,535 64.2% 76.7%
17 $17,733 $28,610 35.3% 61.9%
18 $17,805 $34,540 41.8% 59.1%
19 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
20 $18,508 $33,252 46.7% 75.2%
21 $18,675 $19,110 30.2% 69.9%
22 $18,998 $10,951 63.3% 83.3%
23 $19,634 $15,532 72.0% 85.5%
24 $19,655 $18,610 35.5% 85.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary's $6,608 net price reflects substantial denominational subsidies and a focused graduate-level mission, while schools like Wesleyan College charge $14,528 due to smaller enrollment and broader liberal arts infrastructure. Private institutions often provide more financial aid, with Christian Brothers University reducing its $37,300 sticker price to $10,896 through merit scholarships. Public universities maintain lower base costs, with Valdosta State's in-state tuition at just $6,007 before aid calculations.

How do graduation rates correlate with program affordability in this field?

Arizona State University achieves the highest completion rate at 67.8% while maintaining a reasonable $13,670 net cost, suggesting that institutional resources matter more than price alone. Conversely, Paine College combines a relatively high $15,074 cost with the lowest graduation rate at 21.7%, indicating potential support service gaps. Mid-priced programs like Wesleyan College deliver strong 60.6% graduation rates at $14,528, demonstrating that effective student services can justify moderate cost increases.

Is attending a denominational school worth the potential cost premium?

Denominational institutions often provide specialized career networks and targeted internship opportunities that justify higher costs for students pursuing religious vocations. Hellenic College charges $14,334 but offers direct pathways to Orthodox Christian leadership roles that command $50,000-$70,000 starting salaries. Tennessee Wesleyan's $14,879 cost includes access to United Methodist Church employment networks, while Bryan College's $16,494 price tag comes with strong evangelical ministry placement rates exceeding 85%.

Does geographic location significantly impact program value in Philosophy and Religious Studies?

Regional job markets create notable value differences, with Central Washington University's $14,715 program benefiting from Pacific Northwest demand for interfaith coordinators and ethical consultants in tech companies. University of Maine at Farmington offers strong value at $14,873 in a region where religious studies graduates fill tourism, historical preservation, and cultural education roles paying $35,000-$45,000. Southern schools like University of Tennessee Southern provide $15,133 programs with direct access to denominational headquarters and seminary feeder relationships.

Where do graduates from these affordable programs typically find employment?

Nonprofit organizations hire 40% of Philosophy and Religious Studies graduates at salaries ranging from $35,000-$55,000, with larger organizations preferring candidates from accredited programs like Arizona State University. Educational institutions employ another 25% as chaplains, ethics instructors, and student life coordinators, with starting salaries of $40,000-$60,000. Government agencies and healthcare systems increasingly recruit graduates for ethics committees and cultural competency roles, offering $45,000-$65,000 positions that value the critical thinking skills developed in these programs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.