10 Affordable Online Philosophy Degrees (2025)

The field of philosophy looks at the complex nature of the world and our place in it. It poses challenging questions like 'Is anything certain?' and 'Does God exist?'

Students who study philosophy open doors to a variety of careers in areas like metaphysics, ethics, and of course, philosophy.

Entering the field can be aided by earning a bachelor's degree in philosophy. Unfortunately, this can be tough for students who have busy schedules or trouble paying out of pocket.

If you want to enter a cost-friendly undergraduate philosophy program and enjoy a flexible schedule, there are several affordable online philosophy degree programs to consider.

List of Affordable Philosophy Degrees Online

Explore this list of top schools offering affordable online philosophy degree programs.

1. Portland State University

Portland State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and a Bachelor of Science in philosophy.

The BA in philosophy requires students to take on a second language, while BS in philosophy students must earn science credits.

Both online programs teach students how to apply logic, formulate arguments, and take on real-world debates that involve law, politics, and ethics.

Tuition for residents is $207 per credit hour. Non-residents pay $627 per credit hour.

2. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University delivers the Bachelor of Arts in philosophy to students interested in learning online or on campus.

No matter the learning format, courses help students build their reasoning, critical thinking, and evaluation skills in courses like Ethics, Philosophy of Law, and Eastern Philosophy.

Students have the option of earning a Certificate of Emphasis in General Philosophy, Moral and Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, or Philosophy and Law.

Tuition for this program is $242.76 per credit hour.

3. Oregon State University

Oregon State University is home to an online philosophy program that is available as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

The BA in philosophy requires second-year proficiency in a second language, while the BS in philosophy mandates a minimum 15-credit block of computer science, science, and quantitative studies.

Both degrees explore the contemporary and classical issues of politics, social media, artificial intelligence, and pop culture.

Tuition for this program is $350 per credit.

4. University of North Carolina - Greensboro

The University of North Carolina - Greensboro delivers the Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, a fully online program consisting of asynchronous and synchronous courses.

Enrollees explore logic, ethics, metaphysics, the philosophy of mind, and much more. They have the option to take on a pre-law concentration.

The program has been ranked among the best online philosophy programs nationwide and is recognized as excellent preparation for law school.

In-state tuition for online learners is very affordable at $5,436 annually.

5. University of Missouri - St. Louis

Students attending the University of Missouri - St. Louis can enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy program.

This 100% online degree explores metaphysics, western and non-western traditions, epistemology, contemporary and historical philosophical texts, and much more.

Courses include Ancient Philosophy, Critical Thinking, Medieval Philosophy, Present Moral Problems, and Theories of Knowledge.

The cost of online programs at the University of Missouri - St. Louis is $480 per credit hour with domestic students paying in-state tuition regardless of residency.

6. University of Southern Mississippi

The Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of Southern Mississippi is an online program that can be completed in as few as two years.

While the program requires 124 credits for completion, students can transfer in as many as 62 credits.

Enrollees learn about ethics, the human experience, critical thinking, logic, wellness, and much more.

The cost of earning this bachelor's degree in philosophy is $401.59 per credit hour.

7. University of Illinois - Springfield

The University of Illinois - Springfield offers the Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, which prepares students for careers in business, education, and government.

As a 100% online degree, students aren't required to visit the campus, though students can take some courses on the campus if they'd like.

The program offers three main areas of study: Core Analytical Philosophy, Values, and History of Philosophy.

Students enrolled in this online program full-time pay $11,025 in tuition.

8. University of Memphis

The Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of Memphis has been ranked one of the best and most affordable online philosophy degrees in the nation.

Students explore the history of ancient philosophy, biomedical ethics, the philosophy of law, and much more. The program includes a concentration in applied ethics.

Tennessee residents pay a starting fee of $431 per credit hour. This rate reduces with more credit hours taken.

Non-residents pay a flat rate of $431 per credit hour.

9. Arizona State University

At Arizona State University, students can enroll in the online Bachelor of Arts in philosophy program, which teaches logic and reasoning, situation analysis, argument structure, and more.

The 120-credit program consists of 39 courses, including Ethical Theory, Metaethics, and Philosophy of Mind.

Tuition starts at $634 per credit hour but reduces with more credit hours taken.

Students taking 15 credit hours per semester pay about $423 per credit hour as residents and $608 per credit hour as non-residents.

10. University of Arizona

At the University of Arizona, students can enroll in the online Bachelor of Arts in philosophy program with a specialization in ethics.

This degree option has been ranked one of the best online bachelor's degree programs in the nation.

Enrollees gain skills in debate, litigation, critical thinking, counseling, and problem-solving while studying medical ethics, the philosophy of happiness, morality, and more.

The cost of earning this degree is $500 per credit.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy Cost?

The cost of earning an online bachelor's degree in philosophy depends on a variety of factors.

Some schools charge students based on whether they are residents of the state or live out of state. In this case, tuition is often cheaper for residents.

You might also encounter schools that charge different rates for each academic department or individual degree program.

Since there are so many variables that can impact tuition rates, it's challenging to determine the average costs of an online philosophy degree program.

However, there are plenty of affordable online philosophy degree programs starting as low as $200 per credit hour.

How To Make an Online Philosophy Degree Affordable

While there are many affordable online philosophy degree programs across the nation, reducing tuition costs even further is never a bad idea.

Here are some ways to get it done:

• Scholarships: Earning a scholarship from a private institution, nonprofit organization, or even your school of choice can help reduce tuition costs to zero.
• Grants: A grant is a form of financial aid that helps reduce the cost of tuition and does not have to be repaid.
• Tuition reimbursement: If you work while in school, see if your employer offers a tuition reimbursement program through which some, or all, of your tuition can be reimbursed.
• Military discounts: Veterans and active military members can enjoy tuition discounts via the GI bill, school tuition discounts, and military grants and scholarships.

You could also consider student loans, but keep in mind that they must be repaid during enrollment or after graduating.

Is an Online Philosophy Degree Worth It?

Before enrolling in an online bachelor's degree in philosophy program, it's important to determine whether it's worth your effort and money.

If you're wondering about earning your degree online or on campus, consider that online programs typically offer greater flexibility ?some allow students to study anytime and from any location.

This flexibility might contribute to the online degree's growing popularity. Research shows that nearly 2.8 million students are enrolled in online colleges and universities.

Online degrees are also respected. In fact, more than four out of five executives view online degree programs as just as credible as campus-based programs.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), philosophy degrees lead to careers in management, teaching, law, and business, making this degree a good choice to consider.

Find an Affordable Degree in Philosophy Online Today

If you want to enroll in a philosophy degree program, don't let expensive tuition costs get in the way. Review schools offering affordable online philosophy degree options and pick the program that aligns with your budget and academic goals.