2026 Best Philosophy Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Philosophy doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 913 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Duke University to be the best Philosophy school in the United States. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Philosophy program here. More on Duke University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. The median Philosophy program debt is $18,500. More on University Of Pennsylvania
You'll be in good company at Catholic University Of America, which ranked #3 this year. Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,378. Graduates carry a median of $23,843 in student loans. See the full Catholic University Of America profile
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%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. Boston College Philosophy students take on a median of $18,000 in debt. See the full Boston College profile
You'll be in good company at Emory University, which ranked #5 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Students borrow a median of $16,438 to complete their Philosophy program here. Get the full Emory University report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical Philosophy student debt is $15,408. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Read more about Vanderbilt University
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical Philosophy student debt is $24,216. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $18,676 to complete their Philosophy program here. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Notre Dame landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $20,793 in student loans. Read more about University Of Notre Dame
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $15,509 to complete their Philosophy program here. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Chicago placed #13 among Philosophy schools in the United States. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $22,641 in student loans. More on University Of Chicago
Boston University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. Boston University Philosophy students take on a median of $25,750 in debt. See the full Boston University profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Philosophy students take on a median of $20,062 in debt. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical Philosophy student debt is $26,250. Get the full Arizona State University report
University Of Southern California placed #18 among Philosophy schools in the United States. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $11,491 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Florida State University placed #19 among Philosophy schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $25,359 to complete their Philosophy program here. Read the full report on Florida State University
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. The median Philosophy program debt is $26,247. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
University Of Arizona ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. University Of Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. More on University Of Arizona
Fordham University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Students borrow a median of $22,999 to complete their Philosophy program here. More on Fordham University
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #23 among Philosophy schools in the United States. University Of California Santa Barbara is a public school based in Santa Barbara, CA. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. University Of California Santa Barbara Philosophy students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #24 among Philosophy schools in the United States. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school based in Amherst, MA. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete their Philosophy program here. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
New York University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. Graduates carry a median of $24,128 in student loans. Get the full New York University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Philosophy Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of California Berkeley ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Located 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,475 in student loans. More on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical Philosophy student debt is $18,750. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
Rutgers University New Brunswick did well this year, earning the #28 position. Based in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical Philosophy student debt is $25,000. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Depaul University placed #29 among Philosophy schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Get the full Depaul University report
University Of California Santa Cruz did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Santa Cruz, CA, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. The median Philosophy program debt is $15,832. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Cruz
University Of Oregon placed #31 among Philosophy schools in the United States. University Of Oregon is a public school based in Eugene, OR. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. University Of Oregon Philosophy students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Oregon report
University Of North Texas placed #32 among Philosophy schools in the United States. University Of North Texas is a public school based in Denton, TX. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical Philosophy student debt is $17,750. Get the full University Of North Texas report
Suny At Albany landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Albany, NY. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete their Philosophy program here. Read more about Suny At Albany
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Set in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. University Of New Mexico Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. The median Philosophy program debt is $24,095. Read the full report on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Alfred University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Alfred University
Azusa Pacific University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. More on Azusa Pacific University
Grove City College landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Grove City College
The College Of Wooster placed #38 among Philosophy schools in the United States. Get the full The College Of Wooster report
East Tennessee State University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. More on East Tennessee State University
Los Angeles Harbor College did well this year, earning the #40 position. More on Los Angeles Harbor College
Phoenix College
Phoenix College landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. More on Phoenix College
Chapman University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Get the full Chapman University report
Presbyterian College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. See the full Presbyterian College profile
Whitworth University placed #44 among Philosophy schools in the United States. Read the full report on Whitworth University
Grinnell College
Grinnell College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. See the full Grinnell College profile
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Grossmont College placed #47 among Philosophy schools in the United States. More on Grossmont College
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. More on Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Mount Saint Mary College placed #49 among Philosophy schools in the United States. See the full Mount Saint Mary College profile
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy schools. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Related Philosophy Rankings
Explore 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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