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Most Popular Philosophy Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Philosophy Schools in California

140 Colleges
$28,527 Avg Salary
$16,062 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Philosophy School for You

Philosophy is the #59 most popular major in California with 1,876 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Philosophy Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 140 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Philosophy program at each school on the list.

Check out the philosophy programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in California.

Our 2023 rankings named University of California - Los Angeles the most popular school in California for philosophy students. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, philosophy majors at UCLA accumulate an average of around $15,000 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $232, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of California - Santa Barbara is a great place for philosophy students. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Philosophy majors at UCSB take out an average of $15,149 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of California - Santa Barbara

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of California - Berkeley is a great place for philosophy students. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Philosophy majors at UC Berkeley take out an average of $15,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Philosophy at University of California - Berkeley Report

The excellent programs at University of Southern California helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best philosophy schools in California. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.

On average, philosophy graduates from USC take out $13,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Philosophy Schools in California list. Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, philosophy graduates from UC Irvine take out $19,897 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Philosophy at University of California - Irvine Report

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular philosophy programs. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz.

After completing their degree, philosophy graduates from UC Santa Cruz carry an average student debt load of $17,500.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of California - Santa Cruz

With a ranking of #6, University of California - Riverside did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for philosophy students. Located in the large city of Riverside, UCR is a public college with a very large student population.

Philosophy majors at UCR take out an average of $20,135 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of California - Riverside

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for philosophy students. Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, philosophy majors at CSULB accumulate an average of around $18,500 in student debt.

Read full report on Philosophy at California State University - Long Beach

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Davis did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for philosophy students. Located in the suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, philosophy graduates from UC Davis take out $13,200 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#10

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Philosophy Schools in California ranking. SFSU is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco.

The average amount in student loans that philosophy majors at SFSU take out is $16,500.

Read full report on Philosophy at San Francisco State University

With a ranking of #11, University of California - San Diego did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for philosophy students. UCSD is a fairly large public school located in the large city of La Jolla.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of California - San Diego

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Philosophy Schools in California list. Located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public school with a very large student population.

Full Philosophy at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Report

California State University - Fullerton ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Philosophy Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Philosophy majors at Cal State Fullerton take out an average of $14,203 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Philosophy at California State University - Fullerton Report

#14

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Philosophy Schools in California ranking. Stanford is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford.

Full Philosophy at Stanford University Report

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for philosophy students. It came in at #15 on the list. Sac State is a fairly large public school located in the city of Sacramento.

On average, philosophy graduates from Sac State take out $15,382 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Philosophy at California State University - Sacramento

#16

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for philosophy students. It came in at #16 on the list. SCU is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Santa Clara.

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#17

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular philosophy programs. SDSU is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego.

Read full report on Philosophy at San Diego State University

With a ranking of #17, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for philosophy students. Cal Poly Pomona is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Pomona.

Read full report on Philosophy at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

#17

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Philosophy Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

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California State University - Northridge did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for philosophy students. It came in at #20 on the list. CSUN is a fairly large public school located in the city of Northridge.

The average amount in student loans that philosophy majors at CSUN take out is $11,750.

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#21

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

University of San Francisco came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Philosophy Schools in California ranking. USFCA is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of San Francisco.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of San Francisco

#21

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular philosophy programs. Loyola Marymount is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.

Full Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University Report

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Philosophy students in the state of California that almost earned our Most Popular Philosophy Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
23 Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA
23 University of San Diego San Diego, CA
25 Mt. San Antonio College Walnut, CA
25 Claremont McKenna College Claremont, CA
27 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
28 Chapman University Orange, CA

Best Philosophy Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Philosophy Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 244
Oregon 107
Nevada 57
Hawaii 27
Alaska 4

Philosophy is one of 3 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Religious Studies 9,470
Other Philosophy & Religious Studies 285
General Philosophy & Religious Studies 184

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 26 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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