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Cheapest Philosophy Colleges in Massachusetts

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Williams College manages to deliver a philosophy education for just $14,852 net cost despite charging $64,860 in tuition, showcasing how elite private institutions use endowment funds to make programs accessible. This stark contrast with schools like UMass-Amherst at $23,691 reveals how financial aid can flip traditional cost assumptions in Massachusetts higher education. Philosophy graduates from these programs enter a state economy where critical thinking skills align well with Boston's legal sector, healthcare administration, and the growing number of ethics positions in biotech companies. The 15 most affordable philosophy programs here span from sub-$15,000 net costs at top-tier liberal arts colleges to around $26,000 at institutions like Smith College. Public universities like Bridgewater State and Salem State offer solid options under $19,000, while the state's MassGrant Plus program helps reduce costs further for qualifying residents. Graduation rates vary significantly, from 49% at some public institutions to over 96% at places like Harvard and Williams, suggesting that affordability and academic outcomes don't always correlate directly in Massachusetts philosophy programs.
34
Programs
$14,852 – $39,866
Net Price Range
$30,949
Avg. Program Earnings
75.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

34 Philosophy Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,852 $64,860 96.6% 8.5%
2 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
3 $17,970 $11,389 54.6% 87.7%
4 $18,246 $67,280 93.4% 7.3%
5 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
6 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
7 $18,627 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
8 $18,707 $11,884 49.1% 92.5%
9 $19,813 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
10 $20,605 $15,208 49.0% 95.5%
11 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
12 $24,817 $28,100 67.6% 91.8%
13 $25,008 $64,320 91.2% 13.6%
14 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
15 $26,181 $61,568 89.7% 22.9%
16 $26,996 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
17 $27,313 $45,538 71.2% 76.5%
18 $27,711 $55,160 77.1% 50.3%
19 $28,853 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
20 $29,504 $46,220 48.3% 87.5%
21 $29,562 $64,142 85.0% 39.8%
22 $29,969 $54,500 80.8% 73.4%
23 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
24 $30,934 $62,080 75.7% 79.5%
25 $31,170 $46,430 63.9% 88.0%
26 $31,569 $46,686 65.8% 79.7%
27 $32,116 $63,141 90.4% 6.8%
28 $33,885 $64,946 86.1% 39.4%
29 $35,435 $67,844 93.3% 9.7%
30 $36,684 $66,594 54.2% 95.5%
31 $36,868 $60,850 89.6% 36.4%
32 $37,899 $51,786 72.1% 74.6%
33 $38,787 $58,150 88.2% 57.9%
34 $39,866 $67,680 91.0% 16.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

How can Williams College cost less than public universities for philosophy students?

Williams College's net cost of $14,852 results from substantial endowment-funded financial aid that reduces the $64,860 sticker price. Many Massachusetts public universities like UMass-Amherst actually cost more at $23,691 net because they have smaller endowments and less generous aid packages. This pattern repeats with Harvard at $16,816 and MIT at $19,813, where massive endowments subsidize philosophy education for qualifying students.

What salary outcomes can philosophy majors expect in Massachusetts?

Available earnings data shows philosophy graduates earning between $21,964 at UMass-Lowell and $30,409 at UMass-Amherst within a few years of graduation. These figures reflect entry-level positions in education, nonprofits, and entry-level business roles. Massachusetts' concentration of law firms, healthcare systems, and consulting companies provides philosophy graduates with paths into higher-paying careers that value analytical thinking skills.

Does acceptance rate correlate with affordability for philosophy programs?

The most affordable philosophy programs show wildly different acceptance rates, from Harvard's 3.24% to Salem State's 92.66%. Williams College combines the lowest net cost at $14,852 with just 8.5% acceptance, while Bridgewater State offers reasonable affordability at $17,970 with 87.71% acceptance. This suggests that both highly selective and accessible institutions can provide affordable philosophy education through different funding models.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable philosophy programs in Massachusetts?

Graduation rates span from 49% at UMass-Dartmouth and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to 97.3% at Harvard among the most affordable options. Public universities generally show lower graduation rates, with Bridgewater State at 54.6% and Salem State at 55%, compared to private colleges like Amherst at 93.4%. These differences often reflect varying student preparation levels and institutional support resources rather than program quality alone.

Where do Massachusetts philosophy programs offer the best value for state residents?

UMass-Boston provides strong value at $18,282 net cost with decent graduation rates of 51.1% and access to Boston's job market. Bridgewater State at $17,970 net offers another solid public option, while the MassGrant Plus program can reduce costs further for qualifying residents. Private options like Williams and Harvard often prove more affordable than public universities once financial aid is factored in for middle and lower-income students.

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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.