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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Philosophy Schools in New York

12 Colleges in the United States
466 Philosophy Degrees Awarded
$46,086 Avg Early-Career Salary

Philosophy degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their philosophy programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 73 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for philosophy students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Philosophy in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall philosophy education in New York.

Top Schools in Philosophy

1

Leading the list is Cornell University, our #1 school for philosophy. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish within six years. Cornell University awarded about 33 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Cornell University earn around $75,976 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for Cornell University

2

University Of Rochester is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Rochester awarded about 19 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,517. Get the full philosophy details for University Of Rochester

3
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

A rank of #3 makes Colgate University one of the top schools for philosophy. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. 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. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Colgate University earn around $52,924 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,286. Get the full philosophy details for Colgate University

4
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 philosophy degrees were awarded at Hamilton College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $48,806. Typical student debt for the program is $16,131. More information about a degree in philosophy from Hamilton College

5
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Skidmore College awarded about 13 philosophy degrees in the most recent data 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. See the full philosophy program report for Skidmore College

6

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College landed the #6 spot for philosophy this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 13 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

7
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #7 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 61 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $40,359 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,128. Get the full philosophy details for New York University

8

Fordham University landed the #8 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Fordham University awarded about 40 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $59,403. Students borrow a median of $22,999 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for Fordham University

9
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Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany placed #9 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 19 philosophy degrees were awarded at Suny At Albany in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy program at Suny At Albany

10
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #10 among the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Syracuse University awarded about 15 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $35,602. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in philosophy from Syracuse University

11

Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. This large public university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 29 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. Read more about the philosophy program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center

12

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #12 among 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. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. 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. Philosophy graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $52,668 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,062. Get the full philosophy details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

13

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #13 among the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $30,851 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

14

Cuny Lehman College earned the #14 position for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Cuny Lehman College earn around $43,311 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Lehman College graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for Cuny Lehman College

15
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School earned the #15 position for philosophy this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. The New School awarded about 46 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $38,468 in their early career. The New School graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for The New School

16
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College landed the #16 spot for philosophy this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Cuny City College graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Cuny City College in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $33,339 early in their careers. Cuny City College graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from Cuny City College

17

Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #17 position for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Cuny College Of Staten Island in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Typical student debt for the program is $14,688. Get the full philosophy details for Cuny College Of Staten Island

18

Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #18 spot for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates 54% of students within six years. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 17 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $27,926 in their early career. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from Cuny Brooklyn College

19
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 14 philosophy degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $10,363 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Cuny Hunter College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 73 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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