2026 Best Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for philosophy & religious studies. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. About 40 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent 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

2

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

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. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Santa Clara University awarded about 41 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. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Santa Clara University

3

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 30 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,273. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

4

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

Students looking for a strong philosophy & religious studies program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 27 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for San Jose State University

5

Chapman University
Orange, CA

A rank of #5 makes Chapman University one of the top schools for philosophy & religious studies. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Chapman University awarded about 19 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $50,947 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Chapman University

6

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 89 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $38,380 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,491. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for University Of Southern California

7

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University earned the #7 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. Pepperdine University graduates 83% of students within six years. About 14 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Pepperdine University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $57,582 in their early career. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Pepperdine University

8

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University came in at #8 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Loyola Marymount University earn around $52,935 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Loyola Marymount University

9

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University landed the #9 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 18 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $51,140 in their early career. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Sonoma State University

10

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #10 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 85 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $42,072 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

11

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #11 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 124 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $22,222. Students borrow a median of $15,698 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at University Of California Santa Barbara

12

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #12 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 96 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $36,355 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,475. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of California Berkeley

13

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University came in at #13 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. Oregon State University awarded about 14 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Oregon State University earn around $51,000 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Oregon State University

14

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #14 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanguard University Of Southern California awarded about 18 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Vanguard University Of Southern California earn around $80,727 in the first couple years of their career. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Vanguard University Of Southern California

15

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #15 for philosophy & religious studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 62 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $32,749 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,200 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of California Davis

16

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Reno. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 19 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of Nevada Reno

17

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

18

Mount St Marys College
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St Marys College earned the #18 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Mount St Marys College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Mount St Marys College generally make around $58,110. Mount St Marys College graduates carry a median of $27,555 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Mount St Marys College

19

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #19 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Bothell Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $42,072 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for University Of Washington Bothell Campus

20

Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University placed #20 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Mirada. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 69 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Biola University earn a median of $54,958 early in their careers. Biola University graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Biola University

21

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 40 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $25,171 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,022. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at University Of California Riverside

22

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #22 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 109 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $30,182. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for University Of California Los Angeles

23

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University placed #23 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern Washington University awarded about 17 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Eastern Washington University

24

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #24 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 58 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $20,922 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,705. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for University Of California Irvine

25

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Long Beach awarded about 40 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $50,982 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,281. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at California State University Long Beach