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Best Value Philosophy Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

CUNY Hunter College delivers the nation's most affordable philosophy education at just $2,446 net cost, while graduates from San Diego State University earn $46,456 annually - creating a remarkable $44,000 spread in post-graduation earnings across top value programs. This gap reflects philosophy's adaptability across different regional markets, from New York's finance and media sectors that value critical thinking skills to California's tech industry where logical reasoning drives innovation. The 15 programs here range from highly selective University of Florida with its 23% acceptance rate to more accessible options like California State University-Fresno accepting 95% of applicants. Graduation rates span from 49% to 91%, showing significant variation in student success across institutions. Philosophy majors increasingly find opportunities in consulting, law preparation, and analytical roles, with West Coast programs consistently showing higher earning potential than their East Coast counterparts despite lower entry costs.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $31,229
Net Price Range
$31,399
Avg. Program Earnings
70.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Philosophy Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $26,896 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $26,353 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $6,500 $30,988 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
4 $6,351 $30,228 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
5 $5,646 $26,739 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
6 $6,480 $29,685 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
7 $7,599 $33,446 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
8 $8,931 $30,228 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
9 $10,898 $33,664 $12,559 68.2% 88.1%
10 $16,174 $46,456 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
11 $11,408 $32,029 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
12 $13,670 $38,289 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
13 $10,997 $29,685 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
14 $14,352 $36,141 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
15 $10,011 $25,194 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
16 $13,485 $33,664 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
17 $10,353 $25,774 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
18 $12,882 $31,133 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
19 $13,825 $31,314 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
20 $12,932 $28,598 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
21 $14,832 $32,563 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
22 $10,043 $21,781 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
23 $13,853 $29,685 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
24 $15,590 $33,281 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
25 $14,013 $29,322 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
26 $12,599 $26,353 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
27 $14,294 $29,685 $10,780 29.9% 97.9%
28 $14,838 $30,771 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
29 $16,438 $33,993 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
30 $18,996 $38,289 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
31 $14,745 $29,685 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
32 $19,040 $38,289 $63,946 92.7% 6.7%
33 $13,707 $27,261 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
34 $31,229 $61,516 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
35 $12,837 $25,194 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
36 $12,840 $24,615 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
37 $21,364 $40,896 $10,363 83.6% 41.8%
38 $15,288 $28,960 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
39 $14,487 $27,439 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
40 $15,201 $28,598 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
41 $19,678 $36,848 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
42 $12,997 $24,267 $9,648 61.2% 88.4%
43 $13,253 $24,035 $10,344 49.4% 94.6%
44 $18,967 $33,993 $66,939 94.9% 5.4%
45 $15,931 $28,055 $8,478 53.7% 66.8%
46 $22,112 $38,289 $15,554 87.9% 43.0%
47 $16,177 $27,669 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
48 $18,292 $31,133 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
49 $17,460 $29,685 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%
50 $18,430 $31,305 $10,560 77.8% 49.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $44,000 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying philosophy programs?

San Diego State graduates earn $46,456 while University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduates earn $25,194, reflecting regional job market differences and program quality. California's tech sector and higher cost of living drive up compensation for analytical skills. San Diego State also maintains a 78% graduation rate compared to Nevada-Las Vegas's 50%, suggesting stronger student preparation and institutional support.

How do CUNY schools compare to other public philosophy programs in value?

CUNY Hunter College and Brooklyn College offer the lowest net costs at $2,446 and $2,943 respectively, making them strong values despite modest earnings of around $26,500. Their 47-54% acceptance rates provide reasonable accessibility while maintaining academic standards. Both schools serve the New York metropolitan area where philosophy skills translate well to finance, publishing, and nonprofit sectors.

Is University of Florida worth its 23% acceptance rate for philosophy students?

University of Florida combines selective admissions with strong outcomes, boasting a 91% graduation rate - the highest among these programs. At $6,351 net cost, it offers excellent value with $30,228 average earnings and only $17,413 in debt. The combination of academic rigor and affordability makes it highly competitive among philosophy programs nationwide.

Does debt level correlate with higher earnings in these philosophy programs?

San Diego State graduates carry $25,000 in debt but earn $46,456 annually, showing positive return on investment. Conversely, Cal State Northridge graduates earn $33,446 with minimal debt loads. Arizona State balances moderate debt at $24,188 with strong earnings of $38,289, suggesting debt levels vary more by institution than by earning potential.

Where do California State University philosophy programs rank in terms of value?

Four CSU campuses appear in this ranking, with net costs between $5,646 and $8,931. Cal State Northridge leads in earnings at $33,446 while Long Beach maintains the highest graduation rate at 69.9% among CSU schools. These programs offer consistent quality across the state system with relatively low debt burdens and reasonable acceptance rates above 39%.

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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.