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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Philosophy Schools in the Southwest Region

12 Colleges in the United States
551 Philosophy Degrees Awarded
$45,097 Avg Early-Career Salary

Philosophy degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 schools to find the best for philosophy students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Philosophy in the Southwest 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
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

No school ranked higher than Rice University this year for philosophy. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Rice University awarded about 16 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Get the full philosophy details for Rice University

2

Southern Methodist University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #2 spot this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $42,334. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at Southern Methodist University

3

The University Of Texas At Dallas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richardson. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,531. More information about a degree in philosophy from The University Of Texas At Dallas

4

Texas Tech University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 21 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Texas Tech University earn around $50,332 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,271. Get the full philosophy details for Texas Tech University

5

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 15 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $58,084 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

6

Baylor University placed #6 among the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 philosophy degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $49,888 in their early career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from Baylor University

7

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #7 for philosophy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $55,304 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for The University Of Texas At Arlington

8

University Of Dallas placed #8 among the best philosophy schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Irving. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. University Of Dallas awarded about 24 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Dallas earn around $58,396 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,411. Get the full philosophy details for University Of Dallas

9

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #9 among the best philosophy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $40,881. Typical student debt for the program is $18,676. See the full philosophy program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

10

University Of Houston landed the #10 spot for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 36 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $23,650 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at University Of Houston

11

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #11 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 18 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $30,058 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Texas A And M University College Station

12

Arizona State University landed the #12 spot for philosophy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 49 philosophy degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $40,286. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from Arizona State University

13

University Of Arizona landed the #13 spot for philosophy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 26 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $34,289 in their early career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Get the full philosophy details for University Of Arizona

14

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #14 for philosophy this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 13 philosophy degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn around $49,955 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from The University Of Texas At San Antonio

15

University Of St Thomas Texas placed #15 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of St Thomas Texas awarded about 15 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of St Thomas Texas earn around $58,265 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,628. Read more about the philosophy program at University Of St Thomas Texas

16

University Of North Texas placed #16 among the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 22 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $37,231 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of North Texas

17

Arizona State University Skysong ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. There were roughly 65 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $40,286 in their early career. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for Arizona State University Skysong

18

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for philosophy this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for New Mexico State University Main Campus

19

The University Of Texas Pan American placed #19 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates 51% of students within six years. About 17 philosophy degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $14,151 in their early career. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from The University Of Texas Pan American

20

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #20 for philosophy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 30 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Texas State University San Marcos earn around $27,893 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Texas State University San Marcos

21

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #21 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 25 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $26,205. Students borrow a median of $24,095 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for University Of New Mexico Main Campus

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 62 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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