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Best Schools for Philosophy in Illinois
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.
Top Schools in Philosophy
Leading the list is Wheaton College Illinois, our #1 school for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $43,654 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,685 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Wheaton College Illinois
University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Chicago awarded about 34 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,641.
Get the full philosophy details for University Of Chicago
Northern Illinois University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 18 philosophy degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $52,308 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Northern Illinois University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 25 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $21,824 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
See the full philosophy program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Loyola University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Typical student debt for the program is $25,530.
See the full philosophy program report for Loyola University Chicago
Depaul University placed #6 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 26 philosophy degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,226. Typical student debt for the program is $25,310.
Read more about the philosophy program at Depaul University
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 · 36 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.
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