2027 Best Philosophy Schools in California
Philosophy 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.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for philosophy students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Philosophy in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall philosophy education in California.
Top Schools in Philosophy
Santa Clara University tops our 2027 ranking of the best philosophy schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 12 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. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree.
Read more about the philosophy program at Santa Clara University
Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 25 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy details for Stanford University
Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 29 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans.
See the full philosophy program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Pepperdine University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. Pepperdine University graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $57,582 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Pepperdine University
San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 18 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in philosophy from San Jose State University
University Of Southern California earned the #6 position for philosophy this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 86 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $38,380. Students borrow a median of $11,491 to complete this degree.
Get the full philosophy details for University Of Southern California
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #7 among the best philosophy schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 82 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $25,303 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
See the full philosophy program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of San Diego came in at #8 for philosophy this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of San Diego awarded about 18 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans.
Read more about the philosophy program at University Of San Diego
Loyola Marymount University earned the #9 position for philosophy this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 philosophy degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $52,935 in their early career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Loyola Marymount University
University Of California Berkeley placed #10 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 79 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $36,355 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,475 to complete this degree.
See the full philosophy program report for University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Davis earned the #11 position for philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 61 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $32,749 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,200 to complete this degree.
Read more about the philosophy program at University Of California Davis
Sonoma State University earned the #12 position for philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 13 philosophy degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $51,140. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy details for Sonoma State University
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #13 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $49,427 in the first couple years of their career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
University Of California Los Angeles placed #14 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 121 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $30,182. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the philosophy program at University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Riverside landed the #15 spot for philosophy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 54 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $25,171 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $19,022 in student loans.
Read more about the philosophy program at University Of California Riverside
California State University Sacramento earned the #16 position for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 20 philosophy degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $29,326 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,034 to complete this degree.
Read more about the philosophy program at California State University Sacramento
University Of California Irvine came in at #17 for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 62 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $20,922 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,705 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of California Irvine
University Of California San Diego landed the #18 spot for philosophy this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 24 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $24,669 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $15,832 in student loans.
More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of California San Diego
California State University Fullerton came in at #19 for philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $30,171 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525.
Read more about the philosophy program at California State University Fullerton
California Baptist University landed the #20 spot for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at California Baptist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from California Baptist University earn around $51,999 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,169.
Get the full philosophy details for California Baptist University
Biola University placed #21 among the best philosophy schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Biola University earn a median of $45,003 early in their careers. Biola University graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans.
Read more about the philosophy program at Biola University
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #22 position for philosophy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 46 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $30,285 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $15,832 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy details for University Of California Santa Cruz
California State University Long Beach placed #23 among the best philosophy schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 30 philosophy degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $51,087 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $19,281 in student loans.
See the full philosophy program report for California State University Long Beach
Moorpark College earned the #24 position for philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete this degree.
See the full philosophy program report for Moorpark College
California State University Northridge earned the #25 position for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Northridge awarded about 17 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $20,822. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete this degree.
Read more about the philosophy program at California State University Northridge
Rest of the Top 34 Philosophy Schools
These schools also placed among the best for philosophy this year:
View All Philosophy Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 34 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.