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Choosing a Great Philosophy School
The school you choose for philosophy can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Philosophy rankings. For our Best Overall Philosophy School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Philosophy Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Philosophy in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the philosophy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best philosophy schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 35 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Stanford University
Santa Clara University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy, ranking #2. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 15 philosophy degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $79,380 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,144.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Santa Clara University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #3 spot this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 30 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $61,010 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,273.
More information about a degree in philosophy from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Dartmouth College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $81,992 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree.
See the full philosophy program report for Dartmouth College
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 185 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $73,053 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
Read more about the philosophy program at University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 25 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,509.
Get the full philosophy details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
Washington University In St Louis came in at #7 for philosophy this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 philosophy degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
See the full philosophy program report for Washington University In St Louis
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #8 spot for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Carnegie Mellon University
Brown University placed #9 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 30 philosophy degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $62,820 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree.
Read more about the philosophy program at Brown University
Emory University came in at #10 for philosophy this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Emory University earn around $67,840 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,438.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Emory University
Rice University came in at #11 for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Rice University
San Jose State University placed #12 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 27 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the philosophy program at San Jose State University
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 20 philosophy degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000.
See the full philosophy program report for Saint Louis University Main Campus
Cornell University came in at #14 for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 33 philosophy degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans.
See the full philosophy program report for Cornell University
Harvard University placed #15 among the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Harvard University awarded about 48 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $95,207 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Get the full philosophy details for Harvard University
Yale University landed the #16 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yale University awarded about 25 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $74,578 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Yale University
Chapman University earned the #17 position for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 19 philosophy degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $50,947. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Chapman University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 45 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
Get the full philosophy details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
College Of William And Mary placed #19 among the best philosophy schools. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. College Of William And Mary awarded about 19 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $53,338 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750.
See the full philosophy program report for College Of William And Mary
Tufts University placed #20 among the best philosophy schools. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy details for Tufts University
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844.
See the full philosophy program report for Purdue University Main Campus
Wake Forest University earned the #22 position for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 11 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Wake Forest University earn around $67,369 in the first couple years of their career. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans.
Read more about the philosophy program at Wake Forest University
University Of Southern California earned the #23 position for philosophy this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 84 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $38,380 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,491.
Read more about the philosophy program at University Of Southern California
Southern Methodist University earned the #24 position for philosophy this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $42,334 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Southern Methodist University
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #25 among the best philosophy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 54 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans.
More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of Missouri Columbia
Rest of the Top 50 Philosophy Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong philosophy education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 913 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).
