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Best Schools for Philosophy in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall philosophy education in Massachusetts.
Top Schools in Philosophy
Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in philosophy. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy details for Harvard University
A rank of #2 makes Tufts University one of the top schools for philosophy. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Tufts University awarded about 30 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Tufts University
A rank of #3 makes Northeastern University one of the top schools for philosophy. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Northeastern University awarded about 10 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $74,800. Typical student debt for the program is $25,611.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Northeastern University
Brandeis University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waltham. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Brandeis University awarded about 16 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $47,783. Students borrow a median of $25,653 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Brandeis University
Boston College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 62 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Boston College earn around $47,345 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
See the full philosophy program report for Boston College
Wellesley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wellesley. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 10 philosophy degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Wellesley College earn around $48,902 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,075.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Wellesley College
Boston University landed the #7 spot for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston University awarded about 66 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Boston University earn around $40,377 in the first couple years of their career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy details for Boston University
Smith College came in at #8 for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 philosophy degrees were awarded at Smith College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $40,436. Smith College graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans.
Read more about the philosophy program at Smith College
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #9 position for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 24 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $53,543 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree.
See the full philosophy program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #10 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. University Of Massachusetts Boston awarded about 11 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Massachusetts Boston earn around $36,581 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans.
Read more about the philosophy program at University Of Massachusetts Boston
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 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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