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