2026 Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Philosophy And Religious Studies doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1273 colleges 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 build 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is Duke University, our #1 Philosophy And Religious Studies school in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. More on Duke University
The strong Philosophy And Religious Studies programs at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
A rank of #3 makes Jewish Theological Seminary Of America one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. About 90% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,910. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $16,750. Read the full report on Jewish Theological Seminary Of America
Emory University came in at #4 on this year's Philosophy And Religious Studies ranking in the United States. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Graduates carry a median of $16,438 in student loans. More on Emory University
A rank of #5 makes Catholic University Of America one of the top choices in the United States. Based 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Graduates carry a median of $23,843 in student loans. More on Catholic University Of America
Boston College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set 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. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $18,000. Read more about Boston College
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $13,122. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $24,216 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Vanderbilt University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Vanderbilt University Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,676 in student loans. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Notre Dame did well this year, earning the #11 position. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $20,793. More on University Of Notre Dame
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $17,715 in student loans. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $13,500 in debt. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
University Of Chicago did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $22,641 in student loans. Read more about University Of Chicago
Boston University placed #15 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Set in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. Boston University Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $25,750 in debt. See the full Boston University profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $20,062 in student loans. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #17 position. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
Arizona State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Graduates carry a median of $21,684 in student loans. More on Arizona State University
Liberty University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lynchburg, VA. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $32,873. More on Liberty University
Florida State University placed #20 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Florida State University Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $25,359 in debt. More on Florida State University
University Of Southern California ranked #21 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. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. University Of Southern California Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $11,491 in debt. See the full University Of Southern California profile
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara 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 $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. University Of California Santa Barbara Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $15,698 in debt. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Barbara
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $26,247. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Florida placed #24 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $17,217. See the full University Of Florida profile
University Of Arizona placed #25 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $21,250. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Fordham University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Fordham University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bronx, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,656 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. See the full Fordham University profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. University Of Massachusetts Amherst Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $25,234 in debt. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Amherst
New York University placed #28 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Based 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. Students borrow a median of $24,128 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. Get the full New York University report
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #29 position. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,475 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #30 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $18,750 in debt. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #31 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $25,800. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of California Riverside did well this year, earning the #32 position. Located in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,022 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of California Riverside
Depaul University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Depaul University is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $25,310. Read more about Depaul University
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #34 in this year's ranking. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school based in Santa Cruz, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. University Of California Santa Cruz Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $15,832 in debt. Get the full University Of California Santa Cruz report
University Of Oregon did well this year, earning the #35 position. Set in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $26,000. Read more about University Of Oregon
University Of North Texas ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Located in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. Get the full University Of North Texas report
Suny At Albany came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Located in Albany, NY, Suny At Albany is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $23,521. Read more about Suny At Albany
University Of New Mexico Main Campus did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $24,095. Get the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus report
Barton County Community College placed #39 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Barton County Community College
Denison University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. More on Denison University
Los Angeles Mission College placed #41 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Los Angeles Mission College
University Of South Alabama did well this year, earning the #42 position. More on University Of South Alabama
Brewton Parker College placed #43 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. More on Brewton Parker College
Colgate University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Read more about Colgate University
Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Read more about Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #46 position. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #47 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
West Valley College did well this year, earning the #48 position. See the full West Valley College profile
Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Leyma landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. See the full Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Leyma profile
Abilene Christian University landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Abilene Christian University
Related Philosophy And Religious Studies Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Schools (All Levels)
- 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
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 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).
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