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2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate

57 Ranked Colleges
415 Degrees Awarded
$25,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 9,456 people earned their degree in philosophy, making the major the 82nd most popular in the United States.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 415 philosophy graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate” ranking, we looked at 57 colleges that offer a degree in philosophy. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent philosophy programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the philosophy program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The philosophy school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Philosophy

#1

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
#20 in overall quality

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Villanova University landed the #1 spot on the list. Villanova, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s philosophy degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Villanova also took the #20 spot in our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Villanova University are $20,719, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Villanova Philosophy Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Texas. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate list. UNT is a large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 5 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Philosophy at UNT

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #3 spot on the list. UT Austin is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 4 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Philosophy Report

#4

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Marquette University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate. Marquette University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 6 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette are $21,690, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Philosophy at Marquette

#22 in overall quality

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Philosophy Report

Texas A&M University - College Station ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate list. Texas A&M College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M College Station are $22,743.

Read full report on Philosophy at Texas A&M College Station

#7

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #7. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s philosophy degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Memphis are $14,202.

Full UofM Philosophy Report

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Philosophy at USF Tampa

#9

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Loyola Chicago Philosophy Report

#10

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate list. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s philosophy degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476.

Read more about Philosophy at UGA

#11

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#4 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate list. Cornell is located in Ithaca, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

Cornell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Philosophy at Cornell

#12

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #12. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 3 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Philosophy at Iowa

#13

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#19 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #19 spot in our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read more about Philosophy at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#14

Fordham University

Bronx, New York
#18 in overall quality

Fordham University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Bronx, New York, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

Fordham U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fordham U are $23,846, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Fordham U Philosophy Report

#15

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#12 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of Virginia is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree philosophy students list, University of Virginia has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of Virginia

#16

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #16. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s philosophy degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Florida State University Philosophy Report

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #17. UC is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 3 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Philosophy at UC

#18

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #18. DePaul is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 6 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul University are $19,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Philosophy at DePaul University

#19

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #19. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 2 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Philosophy at University of Kansas

#20

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

Boston College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.

Boston College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930.

Read more about Philosophy at Boston College

#21

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, New York

Stony Brook University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking. This large school is located in Stony Brook, New York, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stony Brook University are $25,583.

Read more about Philosophy at Stony Brook University

#16 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s philosophy degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Davis Philosophy Report

#23 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #22. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW Seattle Philosophy Report

#24

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#17 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #24. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 4 doctorate’s philosophy degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Philosophy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Philosophy Report

#25

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Philosophy Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s philosophy students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Utah are $24,695.

Read more about Philosophy at U of U

Notes and References

References

  • 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 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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