2026 Best Philosophy Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in philosophy. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $100,827 in their early career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at Stanford University

2

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy, ranking #2. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 15 philosophy degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $79,380 in their early career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at Santa Clara University

3

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

4

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 27 philosophy degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. More information about a degree in philosophy from San Jose State University

5

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at Chapman University, which ranked #5. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Chapman University awarded about 19 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $50,947. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657. See the full philosophy program report for Chapman University

6

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 84 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $38,380. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $11,491 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for University Of Southern California

7

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University landed the #7 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Pepperdine University earn around $57,582 in the first couple years of their career. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at Pepperdine University

8

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 23 philosophy degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Loyola Marymount University earn around $52,935 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248. Get the full philosophy details for Loyola Marymount University

9

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 93 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $25,303 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

10

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #10 for philosophy this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Sonoma State University awarded about 18 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $51,140. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. More information about a degree in philosophy from Sonoma State University

11

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #11 position for philosophy this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 92 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $36,355. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,475 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at University Of California Berkeley

12

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 53 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of California Davis earn around $32,749 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,200 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for University Of California Davis

13

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #13 position for philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 10 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $49,427 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,226. Get the full philosophy details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

14

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #14 position for philosophy this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. University Of California Riverside awarded about 34 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $25,171 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,022. Read more about the philosophy program at University Of California Riverside

15

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #15 among the best philosophy schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 107 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $30,182 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at University Of California Los Angeles

16

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 58 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $20,922. Students borrow a median of $23,705 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for University Of California Irvine

17

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #17 among the best philosophy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 32 philosophy degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $50,982 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,281 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy from California State University Long Beach

18

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #18 position for philosophy this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $28,539. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy from San Francisco State University

19

Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University landed the #19 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $45,003 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy from Biola University

20

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles earned the #20 position for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at California State University Los Angeles

21

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego earned the #21 position for philosophy this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $24,669 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $15,832 in student loans. Get the full philosophy details for University Of California San Diego

22

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #22 for philosophy this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. About 10 philosophy degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy program at Santa Rosa Junior College

23

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $30,285 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $15,832 in student loans. Get the full philosophy details for University Of California Santa Cruz

24

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 22 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $30,171 in their early career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for California State University Fullerton

25

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #25 for philosophy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Northridge awarded about 20 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $20,822 early in their careers. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for California State University Northridge