2026 Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Schools
Looking for the best Philosophy And Religious Studies programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1273 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 analyzed 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 And Religious Studies Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Duke University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies programs schools 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. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. More on Duke University
Out of the 1273 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Pennsylvania landed the #2 spot. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $18,500. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Out of the 1273 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America landed the #3 spot. Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,910. Graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Read more about Jewish Theological Seminary Of America
Catholic University Of America came in at #4 on this year's Philosophy And Religious Studies ranking in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Students borrow a median of $23,843 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. See the full Catholic University Of America profile
The strong Philosophy And Religious Studies programs at Boston College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. Boston College Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $18,000 in debt. See the full Boston College profile
Emory University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Set in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Emory University Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $16,438 in debt. More on Emory University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #7 position. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $13,122. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. This public school is set in Madison, WI. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $24,216 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Depauw University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Located in Greencastle, IN, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Depauw University graduates 75% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,070. Students borrow a median of $26,174 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. Read the full report on Depauw University
Vanderbilt University placed #10 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Vanderbilt University Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,627, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $21,684. See the full Arizona State University Skysong profile
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #12 in this year's ranking. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $18,676. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #13 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, 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 St Thomas Minnesota ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Located in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $19,240. See the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota profile
University Of Notre Dame ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Based in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. University Of Notre Dame Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $20,793 in debt. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
University Of Chicago did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago 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 $69,324. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $22,641. More on University Of Chicago
University Of California Davis ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,200 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. More on University Of California Davis
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $17,715. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Chapman University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orange, CA. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,984. Graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans. Read more about Chapman University
Boston University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $25,750. Read more about Boston University
College Of The Holy Cross placed #21 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit school based in Worcester, MA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. Graduates carry a median of $26,387 in student loans. Get the full College Of The Holy Cross report
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. 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. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $20,062. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,684 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. Get the full Arizona State University report
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Texas A And M University College Station Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Trinity International University Illinois landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Deerfield, IL, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity International University Illinois graduates 46% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,320. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $26,892. Get the full Trinity International University Illinois report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
American University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,771. Graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. More on American University
University Of Southern California ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. University Of Southern California Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $11,491 in debt. Read more about University Of Southern California
Liberty University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lynchburg, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $32,873. Read the full report on Liberty University
Biola University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in La Mirada, CA, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,984. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $25,308. Read more about Biola University
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,698 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #31 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Read more about George Washington University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Florida State University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Florida State University is a public school based in Tallahassee, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Graduates carry a median of $25,359 in student loans. More on Florida State University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Set in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Graduates carry a median of $24,697 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #35 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Franciscan University Of Steubenville did well this year, earning the #36 position. Set 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 run about $34,100. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $25,000. Read the full report on Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #37 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Located in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $26,247. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
University Of Florida came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $17,217. More on University Of Florida
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #39 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Located in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #40 position. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $14,475. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
University Of Arizona came in at #41 in this year's ranking. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $21,250. More on University Of Arizona
Gordon College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Set in Wenham, MA, Gordon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Gordon College posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,700. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $26,372. Read the full report on Gordon College
New York University placed #43 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $24,128. Read more about New York University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #44 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $18,750 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $18,894 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of California Riverside ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. This public school is set in Riverside, CA. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $19,022. Read more about University Of California Riverside
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Set in Santa Cruz, CA, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $15,832. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Cruz
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Based in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $23,380. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point report
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Located in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $25,800. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Whitworth University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. Whitworth University graduates 71% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,880. Whitworth University Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Read the full report on Whitworth University
Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Philosophy And Religious Studies 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 1273 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).