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2027 Best Philosophy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

41 Colleges in the United States
1,197 Philosophy Degrees Awarded
$52,013 Avg Early-Career Salary

Philosophy programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their philosophy programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for philosophy students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Philosophy in the Middle Atlantic 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
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2027 ranking of the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 214 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $73,053. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for University Of Pennsylvania

2
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy, ranking #2. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 philosophy degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Georgetown University earn around $79,632 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. Get the full philosophy details for Georgetown University

3

Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at Carnegie Mellon University, which ranked #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 28 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for Carnegie Mellon University

4

Cornell University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy, ranking #4. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Cornell University awarded about 27 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $75,976 in their early career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for Cornell University

5
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. About 32 philosophy degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Princeton University earn around $67,532 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy from Princeton University

6

University Of Delaware ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Delaware awarded about 12 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Delaware earn around $54,155 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at University Of Delaware

7
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University earned the #7 position for philosophy this year. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. Colgate University awarded about 21 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Colgate University

8

University Of Rochester came in at #8 for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 15 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Get the full philosophy details for University Of Rochester

9
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Bucknell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Bucknell University generally make around $64,331. Bucknell University graduates carry a median of $25,951 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for Bucknell University

10
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College came in at #10 for philosophy this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 11 philosophy degrees were awarded at Hamilton College in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $48,806 early in their careers. Hamilton College graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from Hamilton College

11
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #11 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 philosophy degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Stony Brook University earn around $60,047 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,537. See the full philosophy program report for Stony Brook University

12
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College placed #12 among the best philosophy schools. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. Barnard College awarded about 10 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $50,790 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy details for Barnard College

13
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Swarthmore. Swarthmore College graduates 92% of students within six years. Swarthmore College awarded about 10 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Swarthmore College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for Swarthmore College

14
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from American University generally make around $58,030. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy program report for American University

15
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 19 philosophy degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $52,031 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,488. Read more about the philosophy program at Rowan University

16
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College earned the #16 position for philosophy this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 philosophy degrees were awarded at Vassar College in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $37,412 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,486 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy from Vassar College

17

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #17 spot for philosophy this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 74 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $35,608 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,164. Read more about the philosophy program at University Of Maryland College Park

18

George Washington University placed #18 among the best philosophy schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 19 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from George Washington University

19

St Lawrence University earned the #19 position for philosophy this year. Set in the town of Canton, St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. St Lawrence University awarded about 11 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of St Lawrence University earn a median of $39,993 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,192. Get the full philosophy details for St Lawrence University

20
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 philosophy degrees were awarded at Hofstra University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Hofstra University earn around $55,705 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,848. Get the full philosophy details for Hofstra University

21
Manhattan College crest
Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY

Manhattan College landed the #21 spot for philosophy this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Riverdale. Manhattan College graduates 64% of students within six years. About 12 philosophy degrees were awarded at Manhattan College in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $61,065 in their early career. Manhattan College graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy program at Manhattan College

22

University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #22 among the best philosophy schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. University Of Maryland Baltimore County graduates 69% of students within six years. About 20 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn around $49,179 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland Baltimore County graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. See the full philosophy program report for University Of Maryland Baltimore County

23
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #23 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 20 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $35,602 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy from Syracuse University

24

Montclair State University landed the #24 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 10 philosophy degrees were awarded at Montclair State University in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $44,369 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,286. Get the full philosophy details for Montclair State University

25
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #25 position for philosophy this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 46 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from New York University earn around $40,359 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,128. More information about a degree in philosophy from New York University

Rest of the Top 41 Philosophy Schools

These schools also placed among the best for philosophy this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
34
35
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY
36
37
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY
38
39
40
41

View All Philosophy Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 41 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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