Best Value Philosophy Colleges in Texas

Rice University delivers an extraordinary philosophy education return at just $12,640 net cost, achieving a 95.70% graduation rate that towers above other Texas programs. This data reveals a stark divide between public and private options, with net costs ranging from $6,500 at UT Rio Grande Valley to $23,650 at Trinity University. Philosophy graduates in Texas enter a job market where critical thinking skills prove valuable across the state's major industries, from Houston's massive medical complex to Austin's growing tech sector. The University of Texas at Austin demonstrates strong value with $36,848 median earnings and an 87.60% graduation rate at $19,678 net cost. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with six schools offering net costs under $17,000, while private institutions like Trinity and Saint Edward's command premium pricing above $23,000. Texas philosophy students benefit from the state's economic diversity, where analytical and communication skills transfer well to healthcare administration, legal services, and corporate roles throughout the second-largest state economy.

Programs

$6,500 – $41,942

Net Price Range

$30,545

Avg. Program Earnings

61.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

33 Philosophy Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, Texas	$6,500	$30,988	$9,859	49.3%	87.7%
2	University of North Texas Denton, Texas	$14,352	$36,141	$11,164	59.6%	79.1%
3	University of Houston Houston, Texas	$13,853	$29,685	$9,711	64.9%	66.2%
4	Texas State University San Marcos, Texas	$16,438	$33,993	$11,450	56.2%	87.7%
5	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$36,848	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%
6	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$20,924	$29,685	$13,099	83.8%	62.7%
7	University of Houston-Downtown Houston, Texas	$14,623	$16,478	$7,708	33.8%	88.4%
8	Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas	$41,778		$64,460	83.3%	52.3%
9	University of St Thomas Houston, Texas	$18,762		$33,660	68.6%	96.7%
10	Southwestern University Georgetown, Texas	$27,468		$51,058	69.3%	44.8%
11	Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, Texas	$15,152		$10,600	51.7%	89.5%
12	The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, Texas	$15,235		$11,728	56.5%	80.8%
13	The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, Texas	$17,435		$14,564	70.8%	84.7%
14	The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, Texas	$10,726		$9,744	45.9%	99.9%
15	Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas	$33,531		$57,220	85.6%	56.1%
16	Texas Lutheran University Seguin, Texas	$22,587		$34,920	55.2%	91.8%
17	The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, Texas	$11,234		$8,991	51.2%	86.9%
18	Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas	$20,071		$11,852	67.5%	67.3%
19	Trinity University San Antonio, Texas	$23,650		$51,352	81.9%	30.5%
20	St. Mary's University San Antonio, Texas	$21,352		$36,242	58.8%	86.2%
21	Sam Houston State University Huntsville, Texas	$16,025		$9,228	55.1%	84.6%
22	Angelo State University San Angelo, Texas	$12,915		$8,319	40.7%	79.1%
23	Saint Edward's University Austin, Texas	$23,636		$51,384	64.2%	85.1%
24	Rice University Houston, Texas	$12,640		$58,128	95.7%	8.7%
25	Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, Texas	$17,760		$31,728	42.4%
26	University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, Texas	$20,498		$35,660	51.8%	94.2%
27	Houston Christian University Houston, Texas	$19,710		$38,100	49.8%	84.5%
28	Hardin-Simmons University Abilene, Texas	$21,031		$31,686	49.6%	88.3%
29	University of Dallas Irving, Texas	$25,470		$50,880	68.0%	58.7%
30	Dallas Baptist University Dallas, Texas	$30,092		$38,140	60.4%	91.4%
31	Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, Texas	$15,137		$9,748	33.7%	88.0%
32	Baylor University Waco, Texas	$41,942		$54,844	80.2%	45.9%
33	Austin College Sherman, Texas	$23,451		$46,500	69.5%	54.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Rice University such an outlier for philosophy value in Texas?

Rice combines an elite $12,640 net cost with a remarkable 95.70% graduation rate, creating strong value despite its $58,128 sticker price. The university accepts only 8.68% of applicants, maintaining small class sizes that boost completion rates. Rice's location in Houston provides philosophy graduates access to the world's largest medical center, where ethics and healthcare policy roles often require philosophical training.

How do public university costs compare for Texas philosophy programs?

Public universities offer net costs between $6,500 and $20,924, with UT Rio Grande Valley providing the lowest cost option. In-state tuition ranges from $7,708 at University of Houston-Downtown to $13,099 at Texas A&M College Station. The University of Texas at Austin delivers the highest public university earnings at $36,848 despite charging $19,678 net cost.

Is there a connection between graduation rates and program costs in Texas?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, with Rice at 95.70% and Trinity at 81.90% leading the field. However, UT Austin proves this pattern has exceptions, achieving 87.60% graduation at a moderate $19,678 net cost. University of Houston-Downtown shows the challenge facing lower-cost programs, with just 33.80% of students completing their degrees.

Does location within Texas affect philosophy graduate earning potential?

Austin-based programs show strong earning outcomes, with UT Austin graduates earning $36,848 annually. Houston programs vary significantly, from $16,478 at University of Houston-Downtown to $29,685 at University of Houston main campus. San Antonio programs cluster in the middle range, while smaller cities like Denton and San Marcos produce graduates earning in the low-to-mid $30,000s.

Where do philosophy graduates find work in Texas's economy?

Texas philosophy graduates often transition into healthcare administration roles within the state's massive medical sector, including positions at HCA Healthcare and Baylor Scott & White. The state's legal industry provides traditional paths, while Austin's technology sector increasingly values philosophical training for ethics and policy work. Corporate roles in critical thinking and analysis span Texas's varied economy from energy to aerospace.

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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.