College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

17 Colleges in the United States
466 Philosophy & Religious Studies Degrees Awarded
$49,169 Avg Early-Career Salary

Philosophy & Religious Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for philosophy & religious studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Philosophy & Religious Studies in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall philosophy & religious studies education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Philosophy & Religious Studies

1

Washington University In St Louis tops our 2027 ranking of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 24 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Washington University In St Louis

2

University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy & religious studies, ranking #2. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for University Of Missouri Columbia

3
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Carleton College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $45,096. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Carleton College

4
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in philosophy & religious studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 31 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at University Of Kansas

5

Bethel University Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 13 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $61,465 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,639. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Bethel University Minnesota

6

Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #6 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $44,396 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,197. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Gustavus Adolphus College

7
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND

University Of Mary earned the #7 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Mary awarded about 32 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of Mary earn around $65,565 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,983. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of Mary

8

University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #8 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $27,496 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,240. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

9
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College came in at #9 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 18 philosophy & religious studies degrees were awarded at St Olaf College in the most recent year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $36,329 in their early career. St Olaf College graduates carry a median of $24,600 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at St Olaf College

10
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS

Benedictine College landed the #10 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Atchison. Benedictine College graduates 62% of students within six years. Benedictine College awarded about 10 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $46,255 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in philosophy & religious studies from Benedictine College

11

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #11 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 31 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the philosophy & religious studies program make about $31,652 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

12

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #12 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 37 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $22,133 in the first couple years of their career. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $26,349 in student loans. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for Missouri State University Springfield

13
Crown College crest
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN

Crown College earned the #13 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. Crown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. Crown College graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Crown College in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Crown College earn a median of $56,689 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,537. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Crown College

14

Hannibal Lagrange College came in at #14 for philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Hannibal Lagrange College graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Hannibal Lagrange College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Hannibal Lagrange College generally make around $43,544. Hannibal Lagrange College graduates carry a median of $21,705 in student loans. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Hannibal Lagrange College

15
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #15 spot for philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Iowa awarded about 29 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Typical student debt for the program is $26,260. See the full philosophy & religious studies program report for University Of Iowa

16
Friends University crest
Friends University
Wichita, KS

Friends University earned the #16 position for philosophy & religious studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Wichita. About 43% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 philosophy & religious studies students who graduated with this degree at Friends University in the most recent data year. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Friends University earn a median of $46,502 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,721. Get the full philosophy & religious studies details for Friends University

17

Maharishi University Of Management ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best philosophy & religious studies schools. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Maharishi University Of Management awarded about 26 philosophy & religious studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their philosophy & religious studies degree from Maharishi University Of Management earn around $73,644 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the philosophy & religious studies program at Maharishi University Of Management

Narrow Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools by State

View All Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 17 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options