2027 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools to find the best for philosophy students.
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Best Schools for Philosophy in Pennsylvania
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Pennsylvania the best school in the country for a degree in philosophy. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 214 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $73,053 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
See the full philosophy program report for University Of Pennsylvania
Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at Carnegie Mellon University, which ranked #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 28 philosophy degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $89,327 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Carnegie Mellon University
Bucknell University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 11 philosophy degrees were awarded at Bucknell University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Bucknell University earn around $64,331 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,951.
Read more about the philosophy program at Bucknell University
Swarthmore College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy schools. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Swarthmore College awarded about 10 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Swarthmore College earn around $66,971 in the first couple years of their career. Swarthmore College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy details for Swarthmore College
Students looking for a strong philosophy program will find one at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 48 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $56,926 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
Get the full philosophy details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for philosophy this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $17,881 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,878 to complete this degree.
Read more about the philosophy program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Temple University landed the #7 spot for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Temple University awarded about 21 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of Temple University earn a median of $28,648 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in philosophy from Temple University
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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 · 7 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.
