2026 Best Philosophy Schools
Looking for the best Philosophy programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 913 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Philosophy Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is Duke University, our #1 Philosophy school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. More on Duke University
The strong Philosophy programs at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. University Of Pennsylvania Philosophy students take on a median of $18,500 in debt. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
A rank of #3 makes Catholic University Of America one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Catholic University Of America graduates 80% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. The median Philosophy program debt is $23,843. More on Catholic University Of America
Boston College came in at #4 on this year's Philosophy ranking in the United States. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. Boston College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete their Philosophy program here. Get the full Boston College report
The strong Philosophy programs at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical Philosophy student debt is $15,408. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
Emory University placed #6 among Philosophy schools in the United States. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Emory University Philosophy students take on a median of $16,438 in debt. Read more about Emory University
Depauw University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Greencastle, IN. Depauw University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $59,070. The median Philosophy program debt is $26,174. See the full Depauw University profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #8 position. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical Philosophy student debt is $24,216. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Vanderbilt University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $18,676 to complete their Philosophy program here. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Scottsdale, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Arizona State University Skysong Philosophy students take on a median of $26,250 in debt. Get the full Arizona State University Skysong report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Wheaton College Illinois placed #13 among Philosophy schools in the United States. Based in Wheaton, IL, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. The median Philosophy program debt is $23,685. Get the full Wheaton College Illinois report
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $15,509 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Notre Dame did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. Typical Philosophy student debt is $20,793. Read more about University Of Notre Dame
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. The median Philosophy program debt is $13,200. Read the full report on University Of California Davis
University Of Chicago landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Typical Philosophy student debt is $22,641. More on University Of Chicago
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Based in Bothell, WA, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Bothell Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Typical Philosophy student debt is $13,500. More on University Of Washington Bothell Campus
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #19 in this year's ranking. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. University Of St Thomas Minnesota Philosophy students take on a median of $18,201 in debt. Read more about University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Chapman University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orange, CA. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $64,984 in tuition and fees. The median Philosophy program debt is $21,657. Read the full report on Chapman University
College Of The Holy Cross placed #21 among Philosophy schools in the United States. College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit school based in Worcester, MA. College Of The Holy Cross graduates 87% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,387 to complete their Philosophy program here. More on College Of The Holy Cross
Boston University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Set in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. The median Philosophy program debt is $25,750. More on Boston University
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #23 among Philosophy schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. The median Philosophy program debt is $20,062. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
American University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,771. The median Philosophy program debt is $24,139. Get the full American University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Philosophy Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #26 position. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete their Philosophy program here. Read more about Arizona State University
University Of Southern California ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $11,491 in student loans. Get the full University Of Southern California report
Liberty University did well this year, earning the #28 position. Based in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical Philosophy student debt is $27,414. See the full Liberty University profile
George Washington University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. George Washington University Philosophy students take on a median of $22,910 in debt. See the full George Washington University profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Philosophy students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. The median Philosophy program debt is $15,000. More on University Of California Santa Barbara
Florida State University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $25,359 to complete their Philosophy program here. See the full Florida State University profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
University Of Florida came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,217 to complete their Philosophy program here. Read the full report on University Of Florida
Biola University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in La Mirada, CA. Biola University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,984. Graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Get the full Biola University report
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus Philosophy students take on a median of $26,247 in debt. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
Franciscan University Of Steubenville did well this year, earning the #37 position. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit school based in Steubenville, OH. Franciscan University Of Steubenville graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $34,100 in tuition and fees. Typical Philosophy student debt is $25,000. Read the full report on Franciscan University Of Steubenville
University Of Arizona ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. University Of Arizona Philosophy students take on a median of $21,250 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Arizona
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Based in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. The median Philosophy program debt is $25,234. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
University Of California Berkeley ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. The median Philosophy program debt is $14,475. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Fordham University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Located in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,470. The median Philosophy program debt is $22,999. Read the full report on Fordham University
Gordon College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Set in Wenham, MA, Gordon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Gordon College posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,700. Gordon College Philosophy students take on a median of $26,372 in debt. More on Gordon College
New York University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. About 88% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. New York University Philosophy students take on a median of $24,128 in debt. Read more about New York University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
University Of California Riverside did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Graduates carry a median of $19,022 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Riverside
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Located in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Colorado State University Fort Collins Philosophy students take on a median of $18,894 in debt. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
California State University Fresno ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. This public school is set in Fresno, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about California State University Fresno
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #48 among Philosophy schools in the United States. This public school is set in Santa Cruz, CA. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical Philosophy student debt is $15,832. Read more about University Of California Santa Cruz
Florida International University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Based in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $13,134 to complete their Philosophy program here. See the full Florida International University profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Rutgers University New Brunswick Philosophy students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
Best Philosophy Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Philosophy Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 913 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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