Skip to main content

Philosophy Colleges Under $20,000

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

CUNY dominates the national conversation for affordable philosophy education, claiming six of the most budget-friendly spots with net costs between $2,446 and $4,734. Hunter College leads at just $2,446 annually while maintaining a respectable 61% graduation rate, proving that philosophy students don't need to sacrifice quality for affordability. The philosophy job market has expanded significantly in the Northeast corridor, where tech companies increasingly value critical thinking skills that philosophy majors develop through rigorous analytical training. Baruch College stands out with an impressive 72.1% graduation rate despite its $2,978 net cost, suggesting strong support systems for philosophy students. California State schools round out the affordable options, with Dominguez Hills and LA campus both under $4,200. These programs prepare graduates for careers in law, consulting, and emerging fields like AI ethics, where philosophy backgrounds command starting salaries around $26,000 to $27,000 nationally.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $10,011
Net Price Range
$28,862
Avg. Program Earnings
49.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Philosophy Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
4 $3,046 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
5 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
6 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
7 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
8 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
9 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
10 $4,285 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
11 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
12 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
13 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
14 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
15 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
16 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
17 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
18 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
19 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
20 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
21 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
22 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
23 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
24 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
25 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
26 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
27 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
28 $6,602 $37,143 26.3% 83.0%
29 $6,608 $10,646 46.4% 80.0%
30 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
31 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
32 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
33 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
34 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
35 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
36 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
37 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
38 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
39 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
40 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
41 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
42 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
43 $9,104 $8,400 53.2%
44 $9,110 $14,288 61.9% 77.7%
45 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
46 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
47 $9,424 $6,110 42.1%
48 $9,634 $8,640 36.7%
49 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
50 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools so affordable for philosophy majors?

CUNY institutions benefit from substantial state funding that keeps net costs between $2,446 and $4,734 annually. Hunter College offers the lowest net price at $2,446 while maintaining strong academic standards with a 61% graduation rate. The system serves over 270,000 students across New York City, creating economies of scale that reduce per-student costs. Philosophy departments at CUNY schools also share resources and faculty expertise across campuses.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable philosophy programs?

Graduation rates span a wide range from 19.3% at Ohio University-Southern to 72.1% at CUNY Baruch College. Hunter College achieves 61% despite having the lowest net cost at $2,446, while Brooklyn College maintains 56.6% at $2,943 net cost. Regional campuses like Ohio University-Eastern show lower completion rates around 20%, often serving part-time students juggling work and family responsibilities. CUNY schools consistently outperform their California State counterparts in graduation metrics.

Does the net cost correlate with post-graduation earnings for philosophy majors?

Earnings remain remarkably consistent across price points, ranging only from $26,353 to $26,896 annually. Hunter College graduates earn $26,896 despite paying just $2,446 in net costs, while Brooklyn College graduates earn $26,353 at $2,943 net cost. This narrow earnings range suggests that affordable programs provide similar career preparation to their expensive counterparts. Philosophy majors typically see salary growth after gaining work experience in law, consulting, or corporate training roles.

Where do the most competitive affordable philosophy programs operate?

CUNY Baruch College accepts just 49.53% of applicants while maintaining a $2,978 net cost and 72.1% graduation rate. Hunter College follows closely with 47.86% acceptance at the lowest net price of $2,446. Berea College in Kentucky proves most selective at 24.58% acceptance, though their $4,483 net cost reflects a work-study model. California State schools show much higher acceptance rates between 80-90%, indicating easier admission but potentially less rigorous academic environments.

Is private education worth considering for affordable philosophy degrees?

Only two private institutions appear in this affordable range: Berea College at $4,483 and Universidad Central de Bayamon at $4,285 net cost. Berea College offers a unique work-study program where students work campus jobs to offset the $49,326 sticker price, achieving a strong 62% graduation rate. Universidad Central serves Puerto Rico students at $4,285 net cost but shows a lower 37.9% graduation rate. Public institutions generally provide better value propositions for philosophy education under $20,000.

More Philosophy Rankings

Cheapest Philosophy Best Value Philosophy

Related

All Philosophy Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

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