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Best Schools for Philosophy & Religious Studies in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall philosophy & religious studies education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Philosophy & Religious Studies
Wheaton College Illinois tops our 2026 ranking of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 17 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. Students borrow a median of $23,685 to complete this degree.
Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Wheaton College Illinois
University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. About 34 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,641 to complete this degree.
Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at University Of Chicago
Northern Illinois University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 18 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $52,308 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Northern Illinois University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $21,824 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree.
See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Students looking for a strong philosophy & religious studies program will find one at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $58,568 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans.
More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Loyola University Chicago
Depaul University earned the #6 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Depaul University awarded about 27 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete this degree.
See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Depaul University
Hebrew Theological College earned the #7 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Hebrew Theological College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Skokie. About 50% of students finish within six years. Hebrew Theological College awarded about 19 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Hebrew Theological College
Notes and References
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 · 47 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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