Philosophy & Religious Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 1273 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best philosophy & religious studies schools.
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Choosing a Great Philosophy & Religious Studies School
The philosophy & religious studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Philosophy & Religious Studies rankings. For our Best Overall Philosophy & Religious Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Philosophy & Religious Studies in the United States
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 & religious studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in philosophy & religious studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 40 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
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Santa Clara University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 41 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #3 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top schools for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 30 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $61,010 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Dartmouth College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy & religious studies, ranking #4. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. About 28 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $81,992 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree.
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University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy & religious studies, ranking #5. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 189 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $73,053. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of Pennsylvania
Washington University In St Louis landed the #6 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 14 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree.
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Carnegie Mellon University placed #7 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 18 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $89,327 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #8 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 55 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $25,260 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $17,715 in student loans.
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Brown University placed #9 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Brown University awarded about 43 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,025.
See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Brown University
Rice University earned the #10 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. About 95% of students finish within six years. Rice University awarded about 24 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Rice University
San Jose State University earned the #11 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 27 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 21 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000.
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Cornell University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 34 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Cornell University earn around $75,976 in the first couple years of their career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans.
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Chapman University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Chapman University awarded about 19 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Chapman University earn around $50,947 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete this degree.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #15 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
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College Of William And Mary earned the #16 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $53,338 in the first couple years of their career. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans.
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Tufts University came in at #17 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 33 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074.
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Purdue University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. About 32 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $63,111 in their early career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans.
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Yale University landed the #19 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 54 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
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Wake Forest University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 13 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577.
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Harvard University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 85 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $95,207 in their early career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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University Of Southern California earned the #22 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 89 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $38,380 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $11,491 in student loans.
More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of Southern California
Southern Methodist University came in at #23 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $42,334 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
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University Of Missouri Columbia placed #24 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 60 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree.
See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Notre Dame ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 38 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $69,494 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,793 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of Notre Dame
Rest of the Top 50 Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s philosophy & religious studies ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 1273 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).
