2027 Best Philosophy & Religious Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Philosophy & Religious Studies 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 233 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best philosophy & religious studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Philosophy & Religious Studies in the United States
These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in philosophy & religious studies, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Philosophy & Religious Studies
Northwestern University tops our 2027 ranking of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 21 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $78,551 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Northwestern University
Santa Clara University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy & religious studies, ranking #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. About 88% of students finish within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 31 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Santa Clara University
Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $100,827 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Stanford University
University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 201 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $73,053. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500.
Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at University Of Pennsylvania
College Of William And Mary came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. College Of William And Mary awarded about 19 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for College Of William And Mary
Washington University In St Louis earned the #6 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $68,303 in their early career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans.
More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Washington University In St Louis
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #7 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 16 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Carnegie Mellon University
Georgetown University placed #8 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 25 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,632. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Georgetown University
Yale University placed #9 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 38 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Yale University
Emory University landed the #10 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 51 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Emory University earn a median of $58,984 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,438.
More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Emory University
Harvard University landed the #11 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Harvard University awarded about 46 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $95,207 in their early career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Harvard University
Dartmouth College earned the #12 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. Dartmouth College awarded about 15 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Dartmouth College earn around $81,992 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,989.
See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Dartmouth College
Wake Forest University earned the #13 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 20 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Wake Forest University earn around $67,369 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree.
Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Wake Forest University
Brown University came in at #14 for philosophy & religious studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 23 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,025.
Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Brown University
Tufts University came in at #15 for philosophy & religious studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 16 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Tufts University
Cornell University came in at #16 for philosophy & religious studies this year. 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 21 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Cornell University earn around $75,976 in the first couple years of their career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Cornell University
Princeton University earned the #17 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies 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.
See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Princeton University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #18 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 34 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $33,982 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $13,122 in student loans.
Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #19 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $25,260. Typical student debt for the program is $17,715.
Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 41 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans.
Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Purdue University Main Campus
Northeastern University came in at #21 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 18 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $74,800. Typical student debt for the program is $25,611.
Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Northeastern University
University Of Delaware came in at #22 for philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Delaware earn around $54,155 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,861.
Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at University Of Delaware
California State University Chico earned the #23 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $45,591 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,591.
More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from California State University Chico
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 29 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete this degree.
Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Pepperdine University placed #25 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Malibu. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 19 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Pepperdine University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Pepperdine University
Rest of the Top 50 Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong philosophy & religious studies education:
Honorable Mentions
These schools earned honorable mentions for philosophy & religious studies:
- #51 — Loyola Marymount University · Los Angeles, CA
- #52 — Swarthmore College · Swarthmore, PA
- #53 — University Of Michigan Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI
- #54 — University Of California Berkeley · Berkeley, CA
- #55 — University Of New Hampshire Main Campus · Durham, NH
- #56 — Gustavus Adolphus College · Saint Peter, MN
- #57 — Jewish Theological Seminary Of America · New York, NY
- #58 — Rowan University · Glassboro, NJ
- #59 — Bates College · Lewiston, ME
- #60 — Vassar College · Poughkeepsie, NY
Other Philosophy & Religious Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Philosophy & Religious Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Philosophy & Religious Studies 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 · 233 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.