2026 Best Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in philosophy & religious studies. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Stanford University

2

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Santa Clara University

3

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

Students looking for a strong philosophy & religious studies program will find one at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. 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. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

4

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 27 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for San Jose State University

5

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 19 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University 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. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Chapman University

6

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #6 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 89 philosophy & religious studies degrees 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. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of Southern California

7

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University placed #7 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. Pepperdine University awarded about 14 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Pepperdine University earn around $57,582 in the first couple years of their career. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Pepperdine University

8

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Loyola Marymount University

9

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 18 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $51,140. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Sonoma State University

10

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. 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

11

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 96 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $36,355 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,475 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of California Berkeley

12

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #12 for philosophy & religious studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates 57% of students within six years. Vanguard University Of Southern California awarded about 18 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Vanguard University Of Southern California

13

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #13 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Davis awarded about 62 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $32,749. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $13,200 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of California Davis

14

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #14 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 10 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $49,427 in their early career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

15

Mount St Marys College
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St Marys College came in at #15 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. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Mount St Marys College in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $58,110 in their early career. Mount St Marys College graduates carry a median of $27,555 in student loans. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Mount St Marys College

16

Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University placed #16 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Biola University earn around $54,958 in the first couple years of their career. Biola University graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Biola University

17

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Riverside awarded about 40 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $25,171 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,022 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for University Of California Riverside

18

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #18 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 109 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $30,182 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at University Of California Los Angeles

19

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #19 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 58 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $20,922 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $23,705 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at University Of California Irvine

20

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #20 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 40 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $50,982 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,281. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for California State University Long Beach

21

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #21 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $28,539. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for San Francisco State University

22

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University landed the #22 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Riverside. California Baptist University graduates 62% of students within six years. California Baptist University awarded about 20 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $29,582 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,474. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for California Baptist University

23

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles placed #23 among the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $48,403 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at California State University Los Angeles

24

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 28 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $24,669 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,832. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of California San Diego

25

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #25 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 13 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Santa Rosa Junior College