2026 Best Value Philosophy Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Philosophy doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 913 schools 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed 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 Philosophy Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found The University Of Texas At Austin to be the best-value Philosophy school in the United States. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $18,676 to complete their Philosophy program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin has an acceptance rate of 27%. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
You'll get strong value at Boston College, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. The median Philosophy program debt is $18,000. Median earnings reach $103,937 ten years out. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Boston College
You'll get strong value at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2 this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,216 in student loans. University Of Wisconsin Madison alumni report median earnings of $73,792 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Out of the 913 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Pennsylvania landed the #4 spot. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. The median Philosophy program debt is $18,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $111,371. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #5 on this year's best-value Philosophy ranking in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical Philosophy student debt is $15,408. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,200. That is a strong return on a $15,408 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill has an acceptance rate of 15%. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Philosophy students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,097. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. About 57% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Arizona State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Philosophy schools. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete their Philosophy program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Arizona State University report
Depaul University placed #8 among the best-value Philosophy schools in the United States. Located in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical Philosophy student debt is $25,310. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,751 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Depaul University
University Of North Texas landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical Philosophy student debt is $17,750. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants. Get the full University Of North Texas report
Duke University placed #10 among the best-value Philosophy schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Duke University Philosophy students take on a median of $13,296 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $97,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted. More on Duke University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete their Philosophy program here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus alumni report median earnings of $78,466 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Fordham University came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Set in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. The median Philosophy program debt is $22,999. Graduates go on to earn a median of $85,569 ten years after entry. Set against $22,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants. Read the full report on Fordham University
Florida State University placed #13 among the best-value Philosophy schools in the United States. Located in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Graduates carry a median of $25,359 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,675 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Florida State University report
Emory University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Set in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Emory University Philosophy students take on a median of $16,438 in debt. Emory University alumni report median earnings of $80,137 a decade after entry. Set against $16,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%. Get the full Emory University report
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Philosophy students take on a median of $15,509 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $86,863 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,509 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Catholic University Of America ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Philosophy schools. Located in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,378. Typical Philosophy student debt is $23,843. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,250 ten years after entry. Set against $23,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Catholic University Of America
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. University Of California Santa Barbara is a public school based in Santa Barbara, CA. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. The median Philosophy program debt is $15,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,915. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 33% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report
University Of California Berkeley landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. The median Philosophy program debt is $14,475. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,446 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete their Philosophy program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,054. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Arizona came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. The median Philosophy program debt is $21,250. University Of Arizona alumni report median earnings of $59,979 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants. Get the full University Of Arizona report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #21 among the best-value Philosophy schools in the United States. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school based in Amherst, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete their Philosophy program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,631. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
Vanderbilt University placed #22 among the best-value Philosophy schools in the United States. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $91,565. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University has an acceptance rate of 6%. More on Vanderbilt University
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Santa Cruz, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. The median Philosophy program debt is $15,832. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,396. That is a strong return on a $15,832 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz has an acceptance rate of 66%. See the full University Of California Santa Cruz profile
Ohio State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus Philosophy students take on a median of $26,247 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,409. That is a strong return on a $26,247 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 61%. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Philosophy schools. Set 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 Philosophy students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $74,479 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick has an acceptance rate of 58%. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Philosophy Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Suny At Albany placed #25 among the best-value Philosophy schools in the United States. Suny At Albany is a public school based in Albany, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete their Philosophy program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Suny At Albany
New York University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical Philosophy student debt is $24,128. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,509. That is a strong return on a $24,128 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants. See the full New York University profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $20,062 in student loans. Columbia University In The City Of New York alumni report median earnings of $102,491 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York has an acceptance rate of 4%. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
University Of Notre Dame offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Typical Philosophy student debt is $20,793. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $99,980. Set against $20,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 11% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
University Of Oregon offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical Philosophy student debt is $26,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,324. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Oregon has an acceptance rate of 88%. Get the full University Of Oregon report
University Of Chicago landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical Philosophy student debt is $22,641. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $91,885. That is a strong return on a $22,641 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants. More on University Of Chicago
Boston University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Philosophy schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Boston University Philosophy students take on a median of $25,750 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,238 ten years after entry. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Boston University report
University Of New Mexico Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,095 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,792. Set against $24,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
University Of Southern California ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Philosophy schools. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. Students borrow a median of $11,491 to complete their Philosophy program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $92,498. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California has an acceptance rate of 10%. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
El Paso Community College landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full El Paso Community College profile
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Philosophy schools. Read more about Ohio University Main Campus
Phoenix College
Phoenix College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Philosophy schools. More on Phoenix College
Shasta College
Shasta College landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Shasta College report
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras report
University Of San Diego ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Philosophy schools. Read more about University Of San Diego
American University placed #41 among the best-value Philosophy schools in the United States. Read the full report on American University
City College Of San Francisco ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Philosophy schools. Get the full City College Of San Francisco report
Irvine Valley College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Irvine Valley College
Murray State University landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Murray State University profile
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Ramapo College Of New Jersey
South Mountain Community College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Philosophy schools. See the full South Mountain Community College profile
University Of Minnesota Morris landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Minnesota Morris
Antelope Valley College landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Antelope Valley College
Assumption College landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Assumption College
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #50 among the best-value Philosophy schools in the United States. See the full Cuny Laguardia Community College profile
Related Philosophy Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Philosophy Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Philosophy Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Philosophy Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Philosophy Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Philosophy Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 913 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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