Ethics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best ethics schools.
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Choosing a Great Ethics School
The ethics program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Ethics Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Ethics Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 school for ethics. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Harvard University awarded about 18 ethics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
Get the full ethics details for Harvard University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ethics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 ethics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethics degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $42,072. Typical student debt for the program is $13,500.
More information about a degree in ethics from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Bothell Campus one of the top schools for ethics. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Bothell Campus awarded about 21 ethics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethics degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $42,072. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree.
See the full ethics program report for University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Fordham University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in ethics, ranking #4. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 ethics students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethics degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $59,403. Typical student debt for the program is $22,999.
More information about a degree in ethics from Fordham University
Students looking for a strong ethics program will find one at American University, which ranked #5. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. American University awarded about 25 ethics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethics degree recipients from American University generally make around $58,030. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete this degree.
See the full ethics program report for American University
Ethics is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 35 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
