ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

22 Colleges in the United States
1,872 Philosophy & Religious Studies Degrees Awarded
$43,275 Avg Early-Career Salary

Philosophy & Religious Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their philosophy & religious studies programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 255 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for philosophy & religious studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget

Best Schools for Philosophy & Religious Studies in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall philosophy & religious studies education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Philosophy & Religious Studies

1

Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for philosophy & religious studies. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 55 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $25,260. Students borrow a median of $17,715 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

College Of William And Mary came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 25 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent 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. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at College Of William And Mary

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University came in at #3 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. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $67,369 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Wake Forest University

4
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy & religious studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 66 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Emory University earn around $58,984 in the first couple years of their career. Emory University graduates carry a median of $16,438 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Emory University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the top schools for philosophy & religious studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $33,926 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $13,122 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

6
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington landed the #6 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $43,243 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,825 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of Mary Washington

7

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 25 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $59,622 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,135 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

8

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 74 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $60,004 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

9
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. There were roughly 37 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $39,956. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Duke University

10

The University Of Alabama placed #10 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,496. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from The University Of Alabama

11

Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #11 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 30 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $41,032. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana

12

Appalachian State University placed #12 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $42,340 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Appalachian State University

13

University Of Georgia came in at #13 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Georgia awarded about 53 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of Georgia

14

University Of Central Florida landed the #14 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. About 38 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $35,179 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,875. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of Central Florida

15

University Of Louisville earned the #15 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Louisville. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. University Of Louisville awarded about 21 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $58,534. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of Louisville

16
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #16 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 61 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Florida earn around $24,048 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,217. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for University Of Florida

17

University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn around $55,413 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,162. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of Alabama At Birmingham

18
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University earned the #18 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 22 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $53,834. Typical student debt for the program is $23,783. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Clemson University

19

Anderson University Sc came in at #19 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Anderson University Sc in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Anderson University Sc earn around $49,036 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,034 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Anderson University Sc

20

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #20 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $21,168. Typical student debt for the program is $21,829. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus

21

University Of North Florida earned the #21 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Jacksonville. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Florida awarded about 12 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of North Florida earn around $49,208 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,523. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of North Florida

22

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #22 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $30,749. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $24,697 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

23
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #23 for philosophy & religious studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 59 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Florida State University earn around $27,072 in the first couple years of their career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $25,359 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Florida State University

24

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #24 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates 57% of students within six years. Florida Gulf Coast University awarded about 10 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Florida Gulf Coast University

25

Georgia Southern University came in at #25 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. Georgia Southern University graduates 55% of students within six years. About 17 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Georgia Southern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Georgia Southern University

Rest of the Top 42 Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong philosophy & religious studies education:

26
27
28
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
29
30
31
32
Saint Thomas University crest
Saint Thomas University
Miami Gardens, FL
33
34
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
35
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN
36
37
38
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL
39
Ave Maria University crest
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, FL
40
41
42

ADBLOCK #173
View All Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 255 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options