Best Research Universities for Philosophy Degrees 2025
The best philosophy research universities are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best philosophy degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding philosophy faculty.
Key Takeaways
- A philosophy degree helps students to gain practical skills that are highly transferable to a wide range of workplaces.
- A philosophy degree can lead to a wide range of career opportunities in education, political science, religion, and business.
- If you are interested in attending a large university that is focused on research and publishing, a research university may be the right choice for you when pursuing a philosophy degree.
Top 10 Research Universities Philosophy Programs in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best research universities for philosophy degrees saw a considerable amount of shuffling. The University of California, Berkeley gained the most ranking positions as a result of the Ethics and Technology Initiative, which explores the philosophical implications of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and digital privacy, offering philosophy students interdisciplinary opportunities to engage with cutting-edge ethical issues. Berkeley has also expanded its Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) program, providing students with a broader analytical framework that links philosophical inquiry with real-world social and political challenges. Additionally, new seminar series and workshops focused on applied ethics and global justice provide philosophy students with opportunities to engage in contemporary debates and collaborative research with faculty.
Featured Programs
Best Research Universities for Philosophy Degrees
- #1 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #1 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025 #1 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2025 #1 Top Schools that Offer Free Master's Degrees Online
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
3%
Graduation
98%
Student body
39K
Median SAT/ACT
1535/35
What is Harvard University known for?
Harvard University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Harvard University Philosophy Major:
- AB in Philosophy
- #1 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #1 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #1 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2025 #1 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
94%
Student body
48K
What is University of California, Berkeley known for?
University of California, Berkeley’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Anthropology
- Engineering
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
UC Berkeley Philosophy Major:
- BA in Philosophy
- #2 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #2 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #2 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #3 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$66K
Acceptance
4%
Graduation
95%
Student body
37K
Median SAT/ACT
1535/34
What is Columbia University known for?
Columbia University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Columbia University Philosophy Majors:
- Philosophy
- Philosophy & Economics
- #3 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #3 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #3 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #4 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
4%
Graduation
95%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1540/34
What is Stanford University known for?
Stanford University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Stanford University Philosophy Majors:
- BA in Philosophy
- BA in Philosophy and Religious Studies
- #4 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #4 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #4 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #5 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$64K
Acceptance
5%
Graduation
96%
Student body
21K
Median SAT/ACT
1540/34
What is University of Chicago known for?
University of Chicago’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
- Social Work
- Mathematics
- Political Science
- Law
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
University of Chicago Philosophy Majors:
- BA in Philosophy
- Philosophy and Allied Fields
- #5 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #5 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #6 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025 #6 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
5%
Graduation
98%
Student body
16K
Median SAT/ACT
1540/34
What is Yale University known for?
Yale University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Yale University Philosophy Major:
- Philosophy
- #4 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #6 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #6 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #7 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
97%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1535/34
What is Princeton University known for?
Princeton University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Religious Studies
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- Economics
- History
- Literature
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
Princeton University Philosophy Major:
- AB in Philosophy
- #5 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #7 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #7 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #8 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
4%
Graduation
95%
Student body
13K
Median SAT/ACT
1555/35
What is Massachusetts Institute of Technology known for?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Economics
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Earth Sciences
- Business
- Biology
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
MIT Philosophy Majors:
- Philosophy
- Linguistics & Philosophy
- #2 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #2 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2025 #2 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025
Tuition + fees
$18K
Acceptance
18%
Graduation
93%
Student body
52K
Median SAT/ACT
1440/32
What is University of Michigan known for?
University of Michigan’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Engineering
- Anthropology
- Computer Science
- Medical
- Education
- Mathematics
- History
- Social Work
Most Influential Alumni
University of Michigan Philosophy Major:
- Philosophy
- #8 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #8 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #10 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025 #10 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
12%
Graduation
87%
Student body
65K
Median SAT/ACT
1520/34
What is New York University known for?
New York University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
NYU Philosophy Major:
- Philosophy
- #1 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2025 #6 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #9 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #9 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
95%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1520/34
What is Cornell University known for?
Cornell University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Cornell University Philosophy Major:
- Philosophy
- #5 Top Schools that Offer Free Master's Degrees Online #10 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #10 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #10 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
96%
Student body
33K
Median SAT/ACT
1535/34
What is University of Pennsylvania known for?
University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
University of Pennsylvania Philosophy Major:
- Philosophy
- #3 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #3 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2025 #3 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
9%
Graduation
92%
Student body
49K
What is University of California, Los Angeles known for?
University of California, Los Angeles’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Earth Sciences
- Social Work
- History
- Chemistry
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
UCLA Philosophy Major:
- BA in Philosophy
- BA in Linguistics and Philosophy
- #11 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #11 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #11 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #14 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
94%
Student body
40K
Median SAT/ACT
1545/34
What is Johns Hopkins University known for?
Johns Hopkins University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
JHU Philosophy Major:
- BA in Philosophy
- #1 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #1 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #6 Top Schools that Offer Free Master's Degrees Online #13 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
97%
Student body
18K
Median SAT/ACT
1530/34
What is Duke University known for?
Duke University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Religious Studies
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Education
- Law
- Sociology
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
Duke University Philosophy Major:
- BA in Philosophy
- #9 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #14 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #14 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #17 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$65K
Acceptance
12%
Graduation
92%
Student body
54K
Median SAT/ACT
1500/33
What is University of Southern California known for?
University of Southern California’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Engineering
- Criminal Justice
- Business
- Communications
- Medical
- Education
- Computer Science
- Law
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
USC Philosophy Majors:
- BA in Philosophy
- BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
- BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Law
- BA in Philosophy and Physics
- BA in Linguistics and Philosophy
- #4 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #4 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #4 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2025 #4 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
31%
Graduation
88%
Student body
55K
Median SAT/ACT
1365/29
What is University of Texas at Austin known for?
University of Texas at Austin’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Communications
- Physics
- Law
- Literature
- History
- Earth Sciences
- Social Work
- Computer Science
- Philosophy
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
UT Austin Philosophy Major:
- Philosophy
- #14 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #15 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #15 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #18 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
97%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1530/34
What is Northwestern University known for?
Northwestern University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Business
- Sociology
- Law
- Economics
- Anthropology
- Communications
- Chemistry
- Philosophy
- Education
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
Northwestern University Philosophy Major:
- Philosophy
- #10 15 Colleges with the Happiest Freshmen #16 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #17 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #17 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025
Tuition + fees
$65K
Acceptance
5%
Graduation
95%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1535/35
What is Brown University known for?
Brown University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Mathematics
- History
- Education
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Communications
- Political Science
- Philosophy
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
Brown University Philosophy Major:
- BA in Philosophy
- #2 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #17 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #18 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #18 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
12%
Graduation
96%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1485/33
What is Georgetown University known for?
Georgetown University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Law
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- Religious Studies
- Nursing
- Education
- Business
- Communications
- Economics
- History
Most Influential Alumni
Georgetown University Philosophy Major Concentrations:
- Bioethics
- #7 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #8 Top Schools that Offer Free Master's Degrees Online #8 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #8 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025
Tuition + fees
$21K
Acceptance
19%
Graduation
95%
Student body
29K
Median SAT/ACT
1470/33
What is University of Virginia known for?
University of Virginia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
University of Virginia Philosophy Majors:
- Philosophy
- Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law
- #18 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #20 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #21 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #24 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
95%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1540/34
What is Dartmouth College known for?
Dartmouth College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Business
- Literature
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- History
- Earth Sciences
- Medical
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Religious Studies
Most Influential Alumni
Dartmouth College Philosophy Major:
- BA in Philosophy
- #9 Top Schools that Offer Free Master's Degrees Online #9 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #12 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #13 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
17%
Graduation
91%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1440/32
What is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill known for?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
UNC Philosophy Major:
- BA in Philosophy
- #3 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #21 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #22 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #25 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
13%
Graduation
96%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1500/33
What is University of Notre Dame known for?
University of Notre Dame’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
- Law
- History
- Business
- Political Science
- Education
- Mathematics
- Communications
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
University of Notre Dame Philosophy Majors:
- Philosophy
- Philosophy and Theology (joint major)
- #15 15 Colleges with the Happiest Freshmen #1 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2025 #1 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee 2025
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
93%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1530/34
What is Vanderbilt University known for?
Vanderbilt University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Vanderbilt University Philosophy Major:
- Philosophy
Career Outlook for Students with Philosophy Degree
Go to Degree Finder toolPhilosophy And Religious Studies
Degree Level: Bachelor's
- Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Career Salaries
Career | Job Growth | Avg. Salary |
---|---|---|
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 2.27% | $79,930 |
Top Industries
Industry | Avg. Salary |
---|---|
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,930 |
A bachelor’s degree in philosophy is an excellent starting point for a career in public service, corporate governance, education, and a host of other intellectually stimulating fields. As a philosophy major, you’ll study ethics, epistemology, and rhetorical debate.
Your philosophy degree will incorporate classic works by great thinkers alongside a critical analysis of relevant literature, history, and social order. The best schools for philosophy are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of philosophy concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.
In Greek, philosophy means love of wisdom. If you’re considering pursuing a career in this field, it’s wise to learn about the best research universities for philosophy degrees. Modern philosophy can be very interesting, but choosing where to study the discipline can be overwhelming.
Fret not; it is possible for you to find the best universities with an excellent philosophy department. The good news is there are several prominent research universities that offer high-quality and robust philosophy curricula on the graduate degree level.
Studying this field of logic and reason will make students better at analyzing concepts, reasoning, definitions, challenges, and arguments. Organizing ideas and issues, dealing with value questions, and extracting what’s essential from large quantities of information are all aided by this study.
A surprising number of top schools, publishing firms, and other industries worldwide hire philosophy graduates from the best research universities. Hence, it’s crucial to take time to assess which institution to enroll in for a philosophy major, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate.
If you think a liberal arts college may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best liberal arts colleges for a bachelor’s in philosophy.
The Best Philosophy Schools in Your State
Learn More About Philosophy
If you want to know more about philosophy, then check out our related content:
- Learn how to major in philosophy
- Think about your next step and what you can do with a master’s degree in philosophy
- Learn more about philosophy from our interviews with influential philosophers
- Find out who are the most influential philosophers today