by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2021-2022, 9,787 people earned their degree in philosophy, making the major the 83rd most popular in the United States. In , philosophy graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $30,510 and had an average of $21,103 in loans still to pay off.
At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 7,976 philosophy graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,724 and $23,030 respectively.
This year’s “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major” ranking looked at 799 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in philosophy. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their philosophy program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.
Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
The philosophy school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
The colleges and universities below are the best for bachelor’s degree philosophy students.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint John Vianney College Seminary. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. This small school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Out of the 799 schools in the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Conception Seminary College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Conception, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 degrees to qualified bachelors’s philosophy students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 2 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Philosophy at Conception Seminary College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Divine Word College. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major. Epworth, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s philosophy degrees to 5 students in 2021-2022.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mount Angel Seminary. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. Located in Saint Benedict, Oregon, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s philosophy students in 2021-2022.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Sacred Heart Major Seminary. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s philosophy students in 2021-2022.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Holy Apostles College and Seminary ranked #6 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. Holy Apostles College and Seminary is located in Cromwell, Connecticut and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 19 bachelors’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Philosophy at Holy Apostles College and Seminary
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary - Overbrook came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary - Overbrook is a small school located in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania that handed out 7 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Philosophy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary - Overbrook
Pontifical College Josephinum did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking, coming in at #8. Pontifical College Josephinum is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5 bachelors’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Nazarene Bible College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Nazarene Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Claremont McKenna College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 21 bachelors’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%.
Hillsdale College ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. Located in Hillsdale, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s philosophy students in 2021-2022.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Wabash College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking, coming in at #12. Wabash is a small school located in Crawfordsville, Indiana that handed out 10 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
With a ranking of #13, Franciscan University of Steubenville did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. Franciscan U is located in Steubenville, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 36 bachelors’s philosophy degrees to qualified students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
With a ranking of #14, Kenyon College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. This small school is located in Gambier, Ohio, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Hamilton College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. Clinton, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s philosophy degrees to 13 students in 2021-2022.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Sweet Briar College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking, coming in at #16. Sweet Briar, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s philosophy degrees to 1 students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Lake Forest College ranked #17 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. Lake Forest College is a small school located in Lake Forest, Illinois that handed out 12 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Principia College ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. Principia College is a small school located in Elsah, Illinois that handed out 1 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking. The Colleges is a private not-for-profit institution located in Geneva, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Philosophy at Hobart and William Smith Colleges
University of Washington - Bothell Campus did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in Bothell, Washington, and it awarded 64 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Washington - Bothell Campus Philosophy Report
With a ranking of #21, Westmont College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s philosophy students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Bates College ranked #22 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major list. Bates College is a small school located in Lewiston, Maine that handed out 14 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Colgate University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking, coming in at #23. Hamilton, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s philosophy degrees to 27 students in 2021-2022.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Belmont Abbey College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking, coming in at #24. Belmont Abbey College is a small school located in Belmont, North Carolina that handed out 11 bachelors’s philosophy degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Wellesley College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Philosophy Major ranking, coming in at #25. Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | The College of Wooster | Wooster, OH |
| 52 | Williams College | Williamstown, MA |
| 53 | Wheaton College Illinois | Wheaton, IL |
| 54 | College of the Holy Cross | Worcester, MA |
| 55 | Reed College | Portland, OR |
| 56 | Ursinus College | Collegeville, PA |
| 57 | Trinity College | Hartford, CT |
| 58 | Loras College | Dubuque, IA |
| 59 | University of California - Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA |
| 60 | Westminster College Missouri | Fulton, MO |
| 61 | Whitman College | Walla Walla, WA |
| 62 | University of Puget Sound | Tacoma, WA |
| 63 | Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT |
| 64 | Macalester College | Saint Paul, MN |
| 65 | Bryn Mawr College | Bryn Mawr, PA |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | Transylvania University | Lexington, KY |
| 66 | Wheaton College Massachusetts | Norton, MA |
| 68 | Washington & Jefferson College | Washington, PA |
| 69 | McDaniel College | Westminster, MD |
| 70 | Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA |
| 71 | Augustana College | Rock Island, IL |
| 72 | Vassar College | Poughkeepsie, NY |
| 73 | Goucher College | Baltimore, MD |
| 74 | Earlham College | Richmond, IN |
| 75 | Hanover College | Hanover, IN |
| 76 | Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL |
| 77 | Scripps College | Claremont, CA |
| 77 | Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO |
| 79 | Coe College | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| 80 | University of Mary | Bismarck, ND |
| 81 | The College of Idaho | Caldwell, ID |
| 82 | St Lawrence University | Canton, NY |
| 83 | Swarthmore College | Swarthmore, PA |
| 84 | Bowdoin College | Brunswick, ME |
| 85 | Saint Michael’s College | Colchester, VT |
| 86 | Connecticut College | New London, CT |
| 87 | Thiel College | Greenville, PA |
| 88 | Wofford College | Spartanburg, SC |
| 89 | Newman University | Wichita, KS |
| 90 | Colby College | Waterville, ME |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | Middlebury College | Middlebury, VT |
| 92 | St Olaf College | Northfield, MN |
| 93 | Albion College | Albion, MI |
| 94 | Hollins University | Roanoke, VA |
| 95 | United States Military Academy | West Point, NY |
| 96 | Hiram College | Hiram, OH |
| 97 | Boston College | Chestnut Hill, MA |
| 98 | Taylor University | Upland, IN |
| 99 | Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL |
| 100 | Franklin and Marshall College | Lancaster, PA |
| 101 | Oglethorpe University | Atlanta, GA |
| 102 | Centenary College of Louisiana | Shreveport, LA |
| 103 | Pomona College | Claremont, CA |
| 104 | Lafayette College | Easton, PA |
| 105 | Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA |
| 106 | Spelman College | Atlanta, GA |
| 107 | Wells College | Aurora, NY |
| 108 | Ave Maria University | Ave Maria, FL |
| 109 | Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA |
| 110 | Wittenberg University | Springfield, OH |
| 111 | Skidmore College | Saratoga Springs, NY |
| 112 | Manhattanville College | Purchase, NY |
| 113 | Allegheny College | Meadville, PA |
| 114 | Rollins College | Winter Park, FL |
| 115 | University of St Thomas Minnesota | Saint Paul, MN |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 116 | Willamette University | Salem, OR |
| 117 | Christopher Newport University | Newport News, VA |
| 118 | Mount Holyoke College | South Hadley, MA |
| 119 | University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo, HI |
| 120 | Calvin University | Grand Rapids, MI |
Read more about our data sources and methodologies