2026 Best Value Education Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Education Philosophy master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 83 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Education Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat West Chester University Of Pennsylvania this year in the United States. Set in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. See the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania profile
You'll get strong value at Drury University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Springfield, MO, Drury University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,745. Drury University Education Philosophy students take on a median of $26,641 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,694 ten years after entry. Set against $26,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Drury University report
Out of the 83 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Loyola University Chicago landed the #3 spot. Located in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,710. Loyola University Chicago Education Philosophy students take on a median of $23,521 in debt. Median earnings reach $71,530 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%. Get the full Loyola University Chicago report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Northern Iowa earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $22,635. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa has an acceptance rate of 93%. See the full University Of Northern Iowa profile
You'll get strong value at Depaul University, which ranked #5 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,405. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $25,310. Depaul University alumni report median earnings of $68,751 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. See the full Depaul University profile
Hope International University placed #6 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Set in Fullerton, CA, Hope International University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,125 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,697. Set against $24,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 33% of those who apply are admitted. More on Hope International University
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $21,813. University Of Wisconsin Madison alumni report median earnings of $73,792 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Utah ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Median earnings reach $67,170 ten years out. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Utah profile
University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Education Philosophy students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. Median earnings reach $111,371 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Teachers College At Columbia University offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Teachers College At Columbia University alumni report median earnings of $73,294 a decade after entry. Get the full Teachers College At Columbia University report
Northwestern University came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $16,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,363 ten years after entry. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 8% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Northwestern University report
University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $23,608. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,945 ten years after entry. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%. Read the full report on University Of Kansas
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $20,778. Median earnings reach $81,054 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Ohio University Main Campus placed #14 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Located in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $24,546. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,581 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 85%. More on Ohio University Main Campus
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #15 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public school based in Norman, OK. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Education Philosophy students take on a median of $23,138 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,126 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus has an acceptance rate of 77%. Get the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus report
Florida State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Set in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,675. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants. See the full Florida State University profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #16 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Located in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Rutgers University New Brunswick Education Philosophy students take on a median of $25,120 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $74,479. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants. See the full Rutgers University New Brunswick profile
Georgia State University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $26,091. Median earnings reach $47,384 ten years out. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Georgia State University
Arizona State University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Arizona State University Education Philosophy students take on a median of $21,842 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,668. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. More on Arizona State University
Western Michigan University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete their Education Philosophy program here. Western Michigan University alumni report median earnings of $53,562 a decade after entry. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University has an acceptance rate of 85%. Read more about Western Michigan University
University Of Iowa landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete their Education Philosophy program here. University Of Iowa alumni report median earnings of $64,762 a decade after entry. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa has an acceptance rate of 84%. More on University Of Iowa
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,810. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile
Kent State University At Kent placed #23 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Located in Kent, OH, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $25,174. Kent State University At Kent alumni report median earnings of $45,388 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants. More on Kent State University At Kent
University Of Hawaii At Manoa offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. This public school is set in Honolulu, HI. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. University Of Hawaii At Manoa alumni report median earnings of $57,624 a decade after entry. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants. Read more about University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Syracuse University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Syracuse, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Syracuse University alumni report median earnings of $79,164 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants. Read the full report on Syracuse University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Education Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $19,738. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
University Of Colorado Boulder offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. This public school is set in Boulder, CO. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete their Education Philosophy program here. Median earnings reach $69,738 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Colorado Boulder report
Eastern Michigan University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Based in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Eastern Michigan University Education Philosophy students take on a median of $28,781 in debt. Eastern Michigan University alumni report median earnings of $51,793 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University has an acceptance rate of 80%. More on Eastern Michigan University
University Of Toledo offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. University Of Toledo is a public school based in Toledo, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $24,923. University Of Toledo alumni report median earnings of $50,632 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. University Of Toledo has an acceptance rate of 92%. Read the full report on University Of Toledo
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #30 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Education Philosophy students take on a median of $26,657 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,990. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Iowa State University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. See the full Iowa State University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Eastern Washington University placed #34 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Read the full report on Eastern Washington University
Sam Houston State University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full Sam Houston State University report
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Northern Illinois University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Get the full Northern Illinois University report
University Of Arkansas ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania report
University At Buffalo landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University At Buffalo report
University Of South Carolina Columbia offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read more about University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia University In The City Of New York offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Lehigh University placed #43 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Read more about Lehigh University
Lorain County Community College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. See the full Lorain County Community College profile
University Of St Thomas Texas placed #45 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Read more about University Of St Thomas Texas
Bard College At Simons Rock offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. More on Bard College At Simons Rock
California State University Los Angeles ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. See the full California State University Los Angeles profile
Michigan State University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on Michigan State University
Endicott College
Endicott College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Endicott College
Washington State University came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Washington State University
Related Education Philosophy Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Education Philosophy Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Education Philosophy Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 83 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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