2026 Best Philosophy Schools in Pennsylvania
Philosophy programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for philosophy students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Philosophy in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall philosophy education in Pennsylvania.
Top Schools in Philosophy
Our analysis ranked University Of Pennsylvania the best school in the country for a degree in philosophy. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 24 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $73,053 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full philosophy details for University Of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 45 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Swarthmore College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Swarthmore College awarded about 13 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $66,971. Swarthmore College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Swarthmore College
Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans.
See the full philosophy program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Temple University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy, ranking #5. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Temple University awarded about 23 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $28,648 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full philosophy program report for Temple University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 61 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
