Cheapest Philosophy Colleges in Texas

Rice University stands out among Texas philosophy programs with a $12,640 net cost that's lower than many public universities, despite its $58,128 sticker price and 95.70% graduation rate. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers the most affordable path at $6,500 annually, while philosophy graduates across Texas earn between $16,478 and $36,848. Philosophy training develops critical thinking skills valued in Texas's expanding legal sector, where major firms like Baker Botts and Vinson & Elkins seek analytical minds. The state's 20 programs range from $6,500 to $20,498 in net costs, with public universities dominating the affordable options. University of North Texas graduates earn $36,141 on average, the highest among reporting schools. Texas's business-friendly environment creates opportunities for philosophy majors in corporate ethics, policy analysis, and management consulting roles throughout Houston, Dallas, and Austin.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Rice University affordable despite being private?

Rice University provides substantial financial aid that reduces the net cost to $12,640, making it cheaper than several Texas public universities. The school accepts only 8.68% of applicants but maintains a 95.70% graduation rate. Rice's endowment allows generous need-based aid packages that often cover most tuition costs for qualified students.

How do philosophy graduate earnings vary across Texas schools?

Philosophy graduates show significant earning differences, from $16,478 at University of Houston-Downtown to $36,848 at top programs. University of North Texas reports the highest average at $36,141, while University of Houston graduates earn $29,685. These variations reflect regional job markets and alumni networks in different Texas cities.

Is debt manageable at affordable Texas philosophy programs?

Most affordable programs maintain reasonable debt levels, with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley averaging $13,000 in student debt. University of North Texas keeps debt at $15,000 despite strong earning potential. However, some mid-range schools like Texas State University show higher debt at $24,500, requiring careful financial planning.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Texas?

Lower-cost programs often show mixed graduation outcomes, with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at 49.30% and University of Houston-Downtown at 33.80%. However, University of North Texas achieves 59.60% graduation rates while maintaining a $14,352 net cost. Rice University's 95.70% rate reflects its selective admissions rather than cost alone.

Where do most affordable philosophy programs cluster geographically?

The cheapest options concentrate in South Texas, with UT Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg and UT El Paso leading affordability rankings. Houston area schools like Rice and University of Houston offer mid-range pricing with strong alumni networks. North Texas universities in Denton and other smaller cities provide good value with lower living costs.

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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.