2026 Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Philosophy And Religious Studies master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 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 help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed 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 Master’s 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. Set 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 average $68,758. Duke University Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $13,296 in debt. More on Duke University
Out of the 1273 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America landed the #2 spot. Located in New York, NY, Jewish Theological Seminary Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,910. Graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. See the full Jewish Theological Seminary Of America profile
A rank of #3 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. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Catholic University Of America came in at #4 on this year's Philosophy And Religious Studies ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Catholic University Of America Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $23,843 in debt. Get the full Catholic University Of America report
Boston College came in at #5 on this year's Philosophy And Religious Studies ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chestnut Hill, MA. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. See the full Boston College profile
Emory University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $16,438. Read more about Emory University
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #7 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $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
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $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
Vanderbilt University placed #9 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students 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. More on Vanderbilt University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Set in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Students borrow a median of $19,240 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. See the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota profile
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,676 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
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 posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $17,715. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
University Of Notre Dame landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. University Of Notre Dame Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $20,793 in debt. Read more about University Of Notre Dame
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #14 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. University Of California Davis Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $13,200 in debt. Read the full report on University Of California Davis
Boston University landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based 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 average $68,102. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $25,750. Read the full report on Boston University
University Of Chicago came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $22,641. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #18 position. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $20,062. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
American University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set 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 average $58,771. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. Read more about American University
Trinity International University Illinois placed #20 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Set in Deerfield, IL, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. Trinity International University Illinois Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $26,892 in debt. Read more about Trinity International University Illinois
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #21 position. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $21,684. More on Arizona State University
Biola University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in La Mirada, CA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,984. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $25,308. Read the full report on Biola University
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based 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 average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee did well this year, earning the #24 position. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $25,500. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
George Washington University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. George Washington University Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $22,910 in debt. Read more about George Washington University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Philosophy And Religious Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #26 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $21,500. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
Liberty University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Graduates carry a median of $32,873 in student loans. Read the full report on Liberty University
Florida State University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $25,359 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. More on Florida State University
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #29 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $15,698. Read more about University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. This public school is set in Charlotte, NC. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $24,697. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte report
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Ohio State University Main Campus Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $26,247 in debt. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
University Of Florida ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. University Of Florida Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $17,217 in debt. Read more about University Of Florida
University Of Arizona landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $21,250. Read the full report on University Of Arizona
Fordham University did well this year, earning the #34 position. Set in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,470. Fordham University Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $25,656 in debt. Get the full Fordham University report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Based in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $25,234. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
New York University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. New York University Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $24,128 in debt. See the full New York University profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins did well this year, earning the #37 position. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Graduates carry a median of $18,894 in student loans. Read the full report on Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #38 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Set 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%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of California Berkeley landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical Philosophy And Religious Studies student debt is $14,475. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
San Francisco State University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. San Francisco State University is a public school based in San Francisco, CA. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. San Francisco State University Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $18,000 in debt. More on San Francisco State University
University Of California Riverside landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Riverside, CA. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $19,022. See the full University Of California Riverside profile
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne placed #42 among Philosophy And Religious Studies schools in the United States. Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a private not-for-profit school based in Langhorne, PA. Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,659. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $30,750. More on Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Based in Steubenville, OH, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit institution. Franciscan University Of Steubenville posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,100. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. Get the full Franciscan University Of Steubenville report
Depaul University did well this year, earning the #44 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Depaul University Philosophy And Religious Studies students take on a median of $25,310 in debt. Read the full report on Depaul University
University Of Houston landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. The median Philosophy And Religious Studies program debt is $23,650. See the full University Of Houston profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Philosophy And Religious Studies schools. Based in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Rutgers University New Brunswick posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Set in Santa Cruz, CA, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $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. More on University Of California Santa Cruz
Florida International University did well this year, earning the #48 position. Set in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. Florida International University posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Graduates carry a median of $13,134 in student loans. Get the full Florida International University report
University Of Scranton landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Located in Scranton, PA, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Scranton posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. More on University Of Scranton
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete their Philosophy And Religious Studies program here. Get the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College report
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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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).