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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Philosophy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

20 Colleges in the United States
1,038 Philosophy Degrees Awarded
$51,062 Avg Early-Career Salary

Philosophy programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 178 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best philosophy schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Philosophy in the Middle Atlantic Region

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

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2026 ranking of the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. 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. See the full philosophy program report for University Of Pennsylvania

2

A rank of #2 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the top schools for philosophy. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 18 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $89,327 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy from Carnegie Mellon University

3

Cornell University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy, ranking #3. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 33 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Cornell University

4

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #4 spot this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 45 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. See the full philosophy program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

5
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Princeton University earn around $67,532 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888. See the full philosophy program report for Princeton University

6

University Of Rochester ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for University Of Rochester

7
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University came in at #7 for philosophy this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for Colgate University

8
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College came in at #8 for philosophy this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Clinton. Hamilton College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 15 philosophy degrees were awarded at Hamilton College in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $48,806 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,131. Get the full philosophy details for Hamilton College

9
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College placed #9 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. Swarthmore College awarded about 13 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in philosophy from Swarthmore College

10

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #10 spot for philosophy this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 71 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $35,608 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,164 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at University Of Maryland College Park

11

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #11 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958. Get the full philosophy details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

12

George Washington University landed the #12 spot for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Washington University awarded about 11 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for George Washington University

13
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Salisbury University awarded about 12 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $45,476 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,545. More information about a degree in philosophy from Salisbury University

14
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College earned the #14 position for philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 13 philosophy degrees were awarded at Skidmore College in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Skidmore College earn around $34,440 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,274 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Skidmore College

15

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #15 for philosophy this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $61,459 in their early career. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

16
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 61 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of New York University earn a median of $40,359 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $24,128 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from New York University

17

Fordham University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 40 philosophy degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Fordham University earn around $59,403 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,999. Read more about the philosophy program at Fordham University

18
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany earned the #18 position for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Suny At Albany graduates 61% of students within six years. About 19 philosophy degrees were awarded at Suny At Albany in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. See the full philosophy program report for Suny At Albany

19
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University landed the #19 spot for philosophy this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 15 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $35,602 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from Syracuse University

20

Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #20 spot for philosophy this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. About 29 philosophy degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center

21
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #21 for philosophy this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,697 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for Towson University

22
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University earned the #22 position for philosophy this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. American University awarded about 38 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. American University graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at American University

23

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #23 for philosophy this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. About 84% of students finish within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 27 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $40,113 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

24

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #24 spot for philosophy this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 66 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $52,668 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,062. More information about a degree in philosophy from Columbia University In The City Of New York

25
Howard University crest
Howard University
Washington, DC

Howard University earned the #25 position for philosophy this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 11 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Howard University in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Howard University earn a median of $58,495 early in their careers. Howard University graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from Howard University

Rest of the Top 34 Philosophy Schools

These schools also placed among the best for philosophy this year:

26
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
27
28
29
30
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY
31
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
32
33
34
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

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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 · 178 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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