by our College Data Analytics Team
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2021-2022, 9,787 people earned their degree in philosophy, making the major the 83rd most popular in the United States. In , philosophy graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $30,510 and had an average of $21,103 in loans still to pay off.
This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major” ranking looked at 925 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in philosophy. That schools that top this list have a program in philosophy in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.
See our ranking methodology to learn more.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
The colleges and universities below are the best for philosophy students.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint John Vianney College Seminary. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. This small school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 14 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Philosophy at St. John Vianney College Seminary
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Conception Seminary College. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major. Conception Seminary College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Conception, Missouri. It awarded 8 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 2 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Out of the 925 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology landed the #3 spot on the list. The Domincan School Berkeley is a private not-for-profit institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Philosophy at The Domincan School Berkeley
Out of the 925 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Divine Word College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Epworth, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s philosophy students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Holy Apostles College and Seminary. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major. Holy Apostles College and Seminary is a small school located in Cromwell, Connecticut that handed out 41 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Philosophy at Holy Apostles College and Seminary
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary - Overbrook came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary - Overbrook is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. It awarded 18 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.
Full Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary - Overbrook Philosophy Report
Mount Angel Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking, coming in at #7. Saint Benedict, Oregon is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s philosophy degrees to 11 students in 2021-2022.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Glasgow Caledonian New York College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. This small school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 0 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Sacred Heart Major Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking, coming in at #9. SHMS is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 16 ’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.
With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 12 ’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary Philosophy Report
Chicago Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking, coming in at #11. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 4 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Pontifical College Josephinum ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified ’s philosophy students in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Piedmont International University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s philosophy degrees to 12 students in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Philosophy at Piedmont International University
Nazarene Bible College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Nazarene Bible College is a small school located in Colorado Springs, Colorado that handed out 1 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Franciscan University of Steubenville came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Steubenville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s philosophy degrees to 48 students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville
Claremont McKenna College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Claremont McKenna is located in Claremont, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 21 ’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.
With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
St Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. This small school is located in Rochester, New York, and it awarded 4 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read full report on Philosophy at St Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry
Hillsdale College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Hillsdale College is a small school located in Hillsdale, Michigan that handed out 14 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
University of Dallas did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking, coming in at #19. University of Dallas is a small school located in Irving, Texas that handed out 14 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Wabash College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Located in Crawfordsville, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified ’s philosophy students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Johnson University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 36 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
With a ranking of #22, Kenyon College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. Gambier, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s philosophy degrees to 17 students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Hamilton College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking, coming in at #23. This small school is located in Clinton, New York, and it awarded 13 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Sweet Briar College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Located in Sweet Briar, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified ’s philosophy students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Catholic University of America came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Catholic University of America is a small school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 40 ’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Morehouse College | Atlanta, GA |
| 52 | Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA |
| 53 | Washington and Lee University | Lexington, VA |
| 54 | Lawrence University | Appleton, WI |
| 55 | Simpson College | Indianola, IA |
| 56 | Washington College | Chestertown, MD |
| 57 | Oberlin College | Oberlin, OH |
| 58 | Boston College | Chestnut Hill, MA |
| 59 | The College of Wooster | Wooster, OH |
| 60 | Williams College | Williamstown, MA |
| 61 | Wheaton College Illinois | Wheaton, IL |
| 62 | University of California - Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA |
| 63 | College of the Holy Cross | Worcester, MA |
| 64 | Reed College | Portland, OR |
| 65 | Ursinus College | Collegeville, PA |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | Trinity College | Hartford, CT |
| 67 | Loras College | Dubuque, IA |
| 68 | Westminster College Missouri | Fulton, MO |
| 69 | Whitman College | Walla Walla, WA |
| 70 | University of Puget Sound | Tacoma, WA |
| 71 | Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT |
| 72 | Macalester College | Saint Paul, MN |
| 73 | Bryn Mawr College | Bryn Mawr, PA |
| 74 | Transylvania University | Lexington, KY |
| 74 | Wheaton College Massachusetts | Norton, MA |
| 76 | Washington & Jefferson College | Washington, PA |
| 77 | McDaniel College | Westminster, MD |
| 78 | Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA |
| 79 | Augustana College | Rock Island, IL |
| 80 | Vassar College | Poughkeepsie, NY |
| 81 | Goucher College | Baltimore, MD |
| 82 | Earlham College | Richmond, IN |
| 83 | Hanover College | Hanover, IN |
| 84 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary | Wake Forest, NC |
| 85 | Princeton University | Princeton, NJ |
| 86 | Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL |
| 87 | Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO |
| 87 | Scripps College | Claremont, CA |
| 89 | Coe College | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| 90 | University of Mary | Bismarck, ND |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | The College of Idaho | Caldwell, ID |
| 92 | St Lawrence University | Canton, NY |
| 93 | Swarthmore College | Swarthmore, PA |
| 94 | Bowdoin College | Brunswick, ME |
| 95 | Saint Michael’s College | Colchester, VT |
| 96 | Connecticut College | New London, CT |
| 97 | Thiel College | Greenville, PA |
| 98 | Wofford College | Spartanburg, SC |
| 99 | Newman University | Wichita, KS |
| 100 | Colby College | Waterville, ME |
| 101 | The New School | New York, NY |
| 102 | Middlebury College | Middlebury, VT |
| 103 | St Olaf College | Northfield, MN |
| 104 | Brandeis University | Waltham, MA |
| 105 | The Graduate Center, CUNY | New York, NY |
| 106 | Albion College | Albion, MI |
| 107 | Hollins University | Roanoke, VA |
| 108 | United States Military Academy | West Point, NY |
| 109 | Hiram College | Hiram, OH |
| 110 | Mount St Mary’s University | Emmitsburg, MD |
| 111 | Taylor University | Upland, IN |
| 112 | Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL |
| 113 | Franklin and Marshall College | Lancaster, PA |
| 114 | Emory University | Atlanta, GA |
| 115 | Oglethorpe University | Atlanta, GA |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 116 | Centenary College of Louisiana | Shreveport, LA |
| 117 | Pomona College | Claremont, CA |
| 118 | Lafayette College | Easton, PA |
| 119 | Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA |
| 120 | Spelman College | Atlanta, GA |
| 121 | Wells College | Aurora, NY |
| 122 | Ave Maria University | Ave Maria, FL |
| 123 | Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA |
| 124 | Wittenberg University | Springfield, OH |
| 125 | Skidmore College | Saratoga Springs, NY |
| 126 | Manhattanville College | Purchase, NY |
| 127 | Allegheny College | Meadville, PA |
| 128 | Rollins College | Winter Park, FL |
| 129 | University of St Thomas Minnesota | Saint Paul, MN |
| 130 | Willamette University | Salem, OR |
| 131 | Christopher Newport University | Newport News, VA |
| 132 | Mount Holyoke College | South Hadley, MA |
| 133 | University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo, HI |
| 134 | Calvin University | Grand Rapids, MI |
| 135 | University of California - Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
| 136 | Dartmouth College | Hanover, NH |
| 137 | Central College | Pella, IA |
| 138 | Hendrix College | Conway, AR |
| 139 | University of California - Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA |
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
