2027 Best Philosophy Schools in the The Plains States Region
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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best philosophy schools.
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Best Schools for Philosophy in the The Plains States 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
Our analysis ranked Washington University In St Louis the best school in the country for a degree in philosophy. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 22 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
See the full philosophy program report for Washington University In St Louis
A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for philosophy. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 43 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy details for University Of Missouri Columbia
Carleton College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #3 spot this year. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 philosophy degrees were awarded at Carleton College in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy program make about $45,096 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,566.
See the full philosophy program report for Carleton College
A rank of #4 makes University Of Kansas one of the top schools for philosophy. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 26 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans.
More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of Kansas
Gustavus Adolphus College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from Gustavus Adolphus College earn around $44,396 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,197.
Read more about the philosophy program at Gustavus Adolphus College
St Olaf College placed #6 among the best philosophy schools. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 philosophy students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Philosophy graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $40,848 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full philosophy details for St Olaf College
Benedictine College earned the #7 position for philosophy this year. Set in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Benedictine College awarded about 10 philosophy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $46,255. Benedictine College graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans.
See the full philosophy program report for Benedictine College
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #8 for philosophy this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 29 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $31,652 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #9 for philosophy this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 16 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Philosophy graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,201.
More information about a degree in philosophy from University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Iowa earned the #10 position for philosophy this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 23 philosophy degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Students borrow a median of $26,260 to complete this degree.
See the full philosophy program report for University Of Iowa
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 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.
