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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Philosophy Schools in the Great Lakes Region

12 Colleges in the United States
507 Philosophy Degrees Awarded
$48,473 Avg Early-Career Salary

Philosophy programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 155 schools to find the best for philosophy students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Philosophy in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall philosophy education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Philosophy

1
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

No school ranked higher than Purdue University Main Campus this year for philosophy. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Purdue University Main Campus

2

University Of Notre Dame is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $69,494 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,793 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of Notre Dame

3

University Of Dayton came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Dayton awarded about 11 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $56,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy program at University Of Dayton

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 47 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $37,885. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $21,510 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at Wheaton College Illinois, which ranked #5. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. About 85% of students finish within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 17 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $43,654 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,685 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy from Wheaton College Illinois

6

University Of Chicago landed the #6 spot for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 34 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Students borrow a median of $22,641 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for University Of Chicago

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 45 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $35,975. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $24,216 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of Wisconsin Madison

8

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $52,123 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy from Indiana University Bloomington

9

Northern Illinois University came in at #9 for philosophy this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 18 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from Northern Illinois University

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #10 position for philosophy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 25 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $21,824 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750. See the full philosophy program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

11

Loyola University Chicago placed #11 among the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 37 philosophy degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,530. Read more about the philosophy program at Loyola University Chicago

12

Wayne State University came in at #12 for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 19 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Wayne State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full philosophy details for Wayne State University

13

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #13 for philosophy this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $39,971 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,247 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy program at Ohio State University Main Campus

14

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #14 position for philosophy this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $31,662. Students borrow a median of $23,380 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

15
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #15 position for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 26 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,310. Get the full philosophy details for Depaul University

16

Franciscan University Of Steubenville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn around $32,165 in the first couple years of their career. Franciscan University Of Steubenville graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from Franciscan University Of Steubenville

17

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #17 for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 23 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn around $34,666 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

18
Tiffin University crest
Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH

Tiffin University came in at #18 for philosophy this year. Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. About 40% of students finish within six years. About 24 philosophy degrees were awarded at Tiffin University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Tiffin University earn around $51,326 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,977 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Tiffin University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 155 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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