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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Southwest Region

11 Colleges in the United States
707 Philosophy & Religious Studies Degrees Awarded
$44,579 Avg Early-Career Salary

Philosophy & Religious Studies 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 91 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:

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Best Schools for Philosophy & Religious Studies in the Southwest Region

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

Top Schools in Philosophy & Religious Studies

1
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

No school ranked higher than Rice University this year for philosophy & religious studies. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 24 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Rice University

2

Students looking for a strong philosophy & religious studies program will find one at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #2. 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 30 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $42,334. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Southern Methodist University

3

A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At Dallas one of the top schools for philosophy & religious studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Richardson. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 11 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. Typical student debt for the program is $20,531. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for The University Of Texas At Dallas

4

Students looking for a strong philosophy & religious studies program will find one at Texas Tech University, which ranked #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 & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $50,332 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Texas Tech University

5

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy & religious studies, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $58,084 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

6

Baylor University came in at #6 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 51 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $31,672. Students borrow a median of $25,612 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Baylor University

7

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #7 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. About 21 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $55,304 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from The University Of Texas At Arlington

8

University Of Dallas earned the #8 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 24 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Dallas in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Dallas earn around $58,396 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,411 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of Dallas

9

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #9 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 71 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $40,881 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $18,676 in student loans. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for The University Of Texas At Austin

10

University Of Houston came in at #10 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $23,650 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at University Of Houston

11

Texas A And M University College Station placed #11 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $30,058 early in their careers. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Texas A And M University College Station

12

Arizona State University earned the #12 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Arizona State University earn around $40,286 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $21,684 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Arizona State University

13

University Of Arizona ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of Arizona awarded about 34 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Arizona earn around $34,289 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at University Of Arizona

14

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #14 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 13 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $49,955 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,542. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at The University Of Texas At San Antonio

15

University Of St Thomas Texas landed the #15 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 24 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Texas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Typical student debt for the program is $23,628. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of St Thomas Texas

16

Wayland Baptist University came in at #16 for philosophy & religious studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Plainview. Wayland Baptist University graduates 19% of students within six years. Wayland Baptist University awarded about 34 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Wayland Baptist University earn a median of $51,930 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,204 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Wayland Baptist University

17

Arizona State University Skysong ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 80 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $40,286 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,684 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Arizona State University Skysong

18

University Of North Texas placed #18 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $37,231. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of North Texas

19

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #19 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at New Mexico State University Main Campus

20

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #20 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 17 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $14,151 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for The University Of Texas Pan American

21

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $27,893. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Texas State University San Marcos

22

University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #22 for philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. University Of New Mexico Main Campus awarded about 27 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $26,205 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,095 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for University Of New Mexico Main Campus

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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 · 91 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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