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Best Schools for Philosophy in the United States
These are the top schools for a master’s degree in philosophy, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Philosophy
No school ranked higher than Tufts University this year for philosophy. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 philosophy degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $68,154 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
Get the full philosophy details for Tufts University
A rank of #2 makes Boston College one of the top schools for philosophy. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Boston College earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Boston College
Fordham University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 25 philosophy degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $59,403 in their early career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $22,999 in student loans.
See the full philosophy program report for Fordham University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 19 philosophy degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $52,668 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,062.
See the full philosophy program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Suny At Albany came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Suny At Albany graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy details for Suny At Albany
Northern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for philosophy this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 philosophy degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $52,308 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree.
Get the full philosophy details for Northern Illinois University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #7 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. About 23 philosophy degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $72,222 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy details for Cuny Graduate School And University Center
American University came in at #8 for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. American University awarded about 34 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from American University earn around $58,030 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,139.
See the full philosophy program report for American University
Florida State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Florida State University awarded about 15 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $27,072. Typical student debt for the program is $25,359.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Florida State University
San Francisco State University earned the #10 position for philosophy this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 17 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $28,539. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000.
Read more about the philosophy program at San Francisco State University
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #11 among the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 13 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $25,218 in student loans.
See the full philosophy program report for University Of Colorado Boulder
Biola University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 philosophy degrees were awarded at Biola University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $45,003 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,308.
Get the full philosophy details for Biola University
The New School earned the #13 position for philosophy this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The New School awarded about 26 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from The New School earn around $38,468 in the first couple years of their career. The New School graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans.
Read more about the philosophy program at The New School
Georgia State University placed #14 among the best philosophy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 53% of students finish within six years. Georgia State University awarded about 13 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $51,103 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Georgia State University
Johnson University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Johnson University awarded about 29 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $34,290 early in their careers. Johnson University graduates carry a median of $23,819 in student loans.
Read more about the philosophy program at Johnson University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #16 for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn around $34,666 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
See the full philosophy program report for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Other Philosophy Degree Levels
Explore the best philosophy schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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