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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Philosophy Schools in Pennsylvania

4 Colleges in the United States
324 Philosophy Degrees Awarded
$62,985 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 63 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 Pennsylvania

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 is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in philosophy. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 185 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $73,053 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. Get the full philosophy details for University Of Pennsylvania

2

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 94% of students finish within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 18 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. See the full philosophy program report for Carnegie Mellon University

3

Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 philosophy degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Read more about the philosophy program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

4
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. About 92% of students finish within six years. Swarthmore College awarded about 13 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Swarthmore College earn around $66,971 in the first couple years of their career. Swarthmore College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from Swarthmore College

5

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 35 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

6
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #6 spot for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Temple University awarded about 28 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $28,648. Temple University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from Temple University

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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 · 63 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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