2027 Best Philosophy Schools in New York
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.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best philosophy schools.
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Best Schools for Philosophy in New York
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
Cornell University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in philosophy. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Cornell University awarded about 27 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005.
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Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at Colgate University, which ranked #2. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. About 21 philosophy degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $52,924 in their early career. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans.
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University Of Rochester is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy, ranking #3. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Rochester earn around $60,865 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at Hamilton College, which ranked #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Clinton. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $16,131.
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Stony Brook University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 22 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,537.
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Barnard College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is 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. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. Typical student debt for the program is $17,609.
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Vassar College placed #7 among the best philosophy schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 15 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Vassar College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Vassar College earn around $37,412 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,486.
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St Lawrence University placed #8 among the best philosophy schools. St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Canton. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 11 philosophy degrees were awarded at St Lawrence University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from St Lawrence University generally make around $39,993. Students borrow a median of $26,192 to complete this degree.
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Hofstra University placed #9 among the best philosophy schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 10 philosophy degrees were awarded at Hofstra University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $55,705 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete this degree.
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Manhattan College earned the #10 position for philosophy this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Riverdale. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 philosophy degrees were awarded at Manhattan College in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of $61,065 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,968.
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Syracuse University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. About 84% of students finish 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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New York University came in at #12 for philosophy this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 46 philosophy degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $40,359 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,128 to complete this degree.
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Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #13 position for philosophy this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 27 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $72,222 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #14 spot for philosophy this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 52 philosophy degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $52,668 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,062.
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State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. About 72% of students finish within six years. State University Of New York At New Paltz awarded about 11 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $41,000 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete this degree.
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St Johns University New York landed the #16 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 11 philosophy degrees were awarded at St Johns University New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $57,686 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,521 to complete this degree.
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Fordham University placed #17 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 57 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $22,999 in student loans.
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The New School landed the #18 spot for philosophy this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 philosophy degrees were awarded at The New School in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of The New School earn a median of $38,468 early in their careers. The New School graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans.
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Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #19 position for philosophy this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 philosophy degrees were awarded at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $27,926 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,125.
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Cuny Hunter College placed #20 among the best philosophy schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. About 20 philosophy degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $10,363 early in their careers. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans.
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Cuny Lehman College earned the #21 position for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Lehman College awarded about 14 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $43,311. Students borrow a median of $18,700 to complete this degree.
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Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #22 for philosophy this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 12 philosophy degrees were awarded at Cuny College Of Staten Island in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Cuny College Of Staten Island graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans.
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Hobart William Smith Colleges earned the #23 position for philosophy this year. Set in the town of Geneva, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hobart William Smith Colleges awarded about 11 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $41,384 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 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.