Cheapest Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education Colleges

Eastern Washington University delivers the nation's most affordable Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education program at $13,091 net cost, while UCLA offers similar affordability at $14,013 despite its 8.57% acceptance rate. The field prepares graduates for roles in educational policy analysis, curriculum development, and administrative positions within school districts that increasingly value philosophical frameworks for decision-making. California dominates this list with three UC campuses, reflecting the state's large educational bureaucracy and policy research needs. Private colleges like Transylvania University cost $23,560, nearly double the public options, yet maintain strong outcomes with 69.80% graduation rates.

Programs

$13,091 – $55,359

Net Price Range

$25,194

Avg. Program Earnings

70.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
2	University of California-Riverside Riverside, California	$13,707	$14,170	76.6%	68.7%
3	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$14,013	$13,747	92.7%	8.6%
4	University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, California	$16,607	$14,560	74.5%	46.9%
5	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
6	Transylvania University Lexington, Kentucky	$23,560	$44,980	69.8%	90.8%
7	Ashford University San Diego, California	$25,321	$13,160	8.8%
8	Wesleyan University Middletown, Connecticut	$27,888	$67,316	91.6%	14.4%
9	Dickinson College Carlisle, Pennsylvania	$32,191	$63,475	83.4%	34.9%
10	Bard College at Simon's Rock Great Barrington, Massachusetts	$36,684	$66,594	54.2%	95.5%
11	Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania	$40,690	$62,560	85.6%	30.8%
12	High Point University High Point, North Carolina	$40,721	$44,208	70.0%	78.9%
13	The New School New York, New York	$55,359	$56,386	71.2%	57.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost difference between public and private programs?

Public universities like Eastern Washington at $13,091 and UC Riverside at $13,707 benefit from state funding that keeps costs low for residents. Private institutions such as The New School at $55,359 and Bryn Mawr at $40,690 rely on tuition revenue and endowments.

How do California schools dominate the affordable rankings?

Three UC campuses appear in the top five most affordable programs, with UCLA, UC Riverside, and UC Santa Cruz all under $17,000 net cost. California's investment in public higher education and large student populations create economies of scale that benefit education majors.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program cost in this field?

Not necessarily - UCLA charges $14,013 with an 8.57% acceptance rate, while Eastern Washington costs $13,091 but accepts 96.12% of applicants. Selective private schools like Wesleyan at 14.43% acceptance still charge $27,888 net cost.

Where do graduates with this major typically find employment?

The $25,194 median earnings reflect positions in school district administration, educational nonprofits, and policy research organizations. Many graduates work as curriculum specialists or in state departments of education where philosophical training guides program development decisions.

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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.