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2027 Best Philosophy Schools in the Great Lakes Region

21 Colleges in the United States
547 Philosophy Degrees Awarded
$47,340 Avg Early-Career Salary

Philosophy programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools to find the best for philosophy students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Philosophy in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the philosophy degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Philosophy

1

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for philosophy. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 29 philosophy degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $78,551 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at Northwestern University

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the top schools for philosophy. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 philosophy degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844. More information about a degree in philosophy from Purdue University Main Campus

3
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN

Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at Depauw University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depauw University awarded about 13 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $46,127 in their early career. Depauw University graduates carry a median of $26,174 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for Depauw University

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy, ranking #4. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 42 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $37,885. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $21,510 in student loans. Get the full philosophy details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for philosophy. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 56 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $35,975 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,216. Get the full philosophy details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

6

University Of Chicago landed the #6 spot for philosophy this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Chicago awarded about 48 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $22,641 in student loans. Get the full philosophy details for University Of Chicago

7
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College earned the #7 position for philosophy this year. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Kenyon College awarded about 10 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $37,976 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,114. See the full philosophy program report for Kenyon College

8

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #8 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 20 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy from Indiana University Bloomington

9
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College earned the #9 position for philosophy this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 philosophy degrees were awarded at Oberlin College in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Oberlin College earn around $25,146 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,759. Get the full philosophy details for Oberlin College

10

Northern Illinois University landed the #10 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 21 philosophy degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Northern Illinois University

11

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #11 for philosophy this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 philosophy degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $43,654 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,685. Get the full philosophy details for Wheaton College Illinois

12

Wayne State University placed #12 among the best philosophy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Detroit. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $55,469 in their early career. Wayne State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for Wayne State University

13

Loyola University Chicago ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 29 philosophy degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy program at Loyola University Chicago

14

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 23 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $21,824. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

15

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 philosophy degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $39,971. Students borrow a median of $26,247 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Ohio State University Main Campus

16

Sacred Heart Major Seminary earned the #16 position for philosophy this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 philosophy degrees were awarded at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the most recent year. More information about a degree in philosophy from Sacred Heart Major Seminary

17
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #17 spot for philosophy this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. Depaul University awarded about 26 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Depaul University earn around $55,390 in the first couple years of their career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Get the full philosophy details for Depaul University

18

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #18 for philosophy this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point awarded about 32 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $31,662 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,380 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

19

University Of Wisconsin Superior landed the #19 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Superior in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Wisconsin Superior earn around $45,219 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Superior graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Get the full philosophy details for University Of Wisconsin Superior

20

Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #20 among the best philosophy schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Steubenville. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $32,165 in their early career. Franciscan University Of Steubenville graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for Franciscan University Of Steubenville

21

University Of Toledo landed the #21 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. University Of Toledo awarded about 14 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of Toledo

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 21 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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