Finding the Best Colleges for Philosophy Programs
Philosophy, the study of fundamental questions concerning existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language, offers a unique path for students seeking to develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. A bachelor's degree in philosophy provides a survey of the field and introduces students to applying philosophical principles to real-world problems. Choosing the right college for a philosophy major is a crucial decision that can significantly impact a student's academic and professional journey. This article explores some of the best colleges for philosophy programs, considering factors such as faculty expertise, course offerings, research opportunities, and overall learning environment.
What is Philosophy?
Philosophy explores the fundamental questions of how to live. Touching on humanities fields such as law, ethics, and religion, philosophy is an analytical discipline that focuses on the fundamental questions of existence. A philosophy degree encourages students to think hard about where they fit into the world. It helps them develop strong reasoning, analytical, and communication skills, which students can apply in any line of work. The degree also gives students a strong foundation for pursuing a master’s or doctorate in another field.
Why Study Philosophy?
A philosophy degree encourages students to think hard about where they fit into the world. It helps them develop strong reasoning, analytical, and communication skills, which students can apply in any line of work. The degree also gives students a strong foundation for pursuing a master’s or doctorate in another field. Graduates of philosophy programs typically pursue careers requiring strong analytical and communication skills, such as in law and business. Salaries are generally good, with the average bachelor’s graduate taking home a median of $69,370 per year, according to 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. Many people proceed to a graduate program, with many graduates going to law school.
Top Universities for Philosophy
Several universities stand out for their exceptional philosophy programs. These institutions offer a rich academic environment, distinguished faculty, and diverse opportunities for students to engage with philosophical ideas. Here's a look at some of the top contenders:
Yale University
Yale University tops the list of the top bachelor’s programs in philosophy. Boasting a stellar 97% graduation rate and a 6-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, Yale’s reputation is well deserved. While tuition may be high at $62,250, about 64% of students receive financial aid. Admissions are highly competitive, with only 6% of applicants admitted. However, admitted students jump at the opportunity, with 69% of admitted students choosing to attend. Yale offers students seventy possible majors, which must be declared by sophomore or junior years, but students are always welcome to change.
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Princeton University
The Department of Philosophy at Princeton is highly ranked and offers an extensive range of courses on both historical and contemporary topics. The faculty mentors at Princeton are distinguished philosophers who provide outstanding education. Princeton University has 37 different concentrations for undergraduates, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering.
Harvard University
Harvard's Philosophy Department boasts a long history and is home to well-known faculty members who specialize in a broad range of philosophical areas. Notably, the department encourages students to study philosophy in a way that interacts with other academic disciplines. There are plenty of classes to choose from at Harvard; they offer almost 3,900 courses in 49 undergraduate fields.
Stanford University
Known for its faculty's expertise in areas like metaphysics, philosophy of science, and philosophy of language, Stanford also offers flexibility for its philosophy majors to concentrate on an area of philosophy that interests them. Stanford offers students seven schools under the university, which include Business, Earth Sciences, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Science, Law, and Medicine. Undergraduates must complete at least 180 units.
University of California, Berkeley
UC Berkeley's robust philosophy department offers courses that span a wide range of philosophical traditions. The department is also known for its strength in areas such as metaphysics and political philosophy.
University of Pittsburgh
With a strong emphasis on the history of philosophy, the program at Pittsburgh also allows students to further their understanding of contemporary philosophical problems. The University is home to the Center for Philosophy of Science which organizes various seminars and conferences.
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New York University (NYU)
NYU's Department of Philosophy hosts an ongoing series of lectures and conferences, inviting world-renowned philosophers. The department is known for its expertise in areas like logic, metaphysics, and philosophy of language.
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania is a good choice for students interested in a degree in philosophy & religious studies. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall. Those philosophy & religious studies students who get their degree from University of Pennsylvania earn $40,181 more than the standard philosophy & religious studies graduate.
Cornell University
It's difficult to beat Cornell University if you wish to pursue a degree in philosophy & religious studies. Cornell is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Ithaca. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.
University of Southern California
It is difficult to beat University of Southern California if you wish to pursue a degree in philosophy & religious studies. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall. Those philosophy & religious studies students who get their degree from University of Southern California receive $5,508 more than the typical philosophy & religious studies student. At the University of Southern California, the most popular majors students study are Management Science, Computer Science, and Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
University of Virginia
Located in the medium-sized suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia. Students who graduate with their degree from the philosophy & religious studies program report average early career earnings of $25,260.
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University of Chicago
Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall. UChicago has 51 academic majors available to students in five divisions: Biological Sciences Collegiate Division, the Physical Sciences Collegiate Division, the Social Sciences Collegiate Division, the Humanities Collegiate Division, and the New Collegiate Division.
Boston College
Boston College is a fairly large private not-for-profit college located in the city of Chestnut Hill. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Boston College is a great college overall. Each year, Boston College awards around 274 degrees to students majoring in Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, which is the school’s most popular major.
University of Washington
Located in the large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 50 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington. Degree recipients from the philosophy & religious studies major at University of Washington - Seattle Campus make $9,200 more than the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce. Annually, the University of Washington-Seattle Campus grants around 480 degrees to those studying Computer Science, which is the institution’s most popular major.
Columbia University
Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall. Those philosophy & religious studies students who get their degree from Columbia University in the City of New York earn $19,796 more than the standard philosophy & religious studies grad. Columbia University is separated into 20 different schools which include the College, global research outposts, Juilliard School, Barnard College, and more.
University of Maryland
UMCP is a very large public university located in the large suburb of College Park. This university ranks 2nd out of 35 schools for overall quality in the state of Maryland. Those philosophy & religious studies students who get their degree from University of Maryland - College Park earn $2,736 more than the typical philosophy & religious studies grad. Every year, the University of Maryland-College Park grants around 859 degrees to students studying Computer Science, which is the institution’s most popular major.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients generally earn around $30,182 at the beginning of their careers.
Emory University
Located in the large city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia. Degree recipients from the philosophy & religious studies major at Emory University earn $26,112 above the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce. At Emory University, the most popular majors students pursue are Business Administration and Management, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, and Neuroscience.
University of California, Berkeley
UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall. Those philosophy & religious studies students who get their degree from University of California - Berkeley make $3,483 more than the standard philosophy & religious studies student.
Fordham University
Located in the large city of Bronx, Fordham U is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York. After graduating, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients generally earn about $30,985 at the beginning of their careers. At Fordham University, the most popular majors students study are Finance, General, Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, and General.
Additional institutions to consider
- Amherst College has an open curriculum plan, which means there are no general education requirements for students.
- Brown University removed general education requirements in 1969, allowing students to craft their own journey with the help of an advising network.
- Dartmouth College follows a unique quarter plan, often called the Dartmouth Plan or D Plan.
- Duke University has two schools devoted to undergraduates: Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and Pratt School of Engineering.
- Holy Apostles College and Seminary annually awards around 22 degrees to those studying Philosophy, which is the school’s most popular major.
- Wabash College annually awards around 25 degrees to students studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, the institution’s most popular major.
Important Factors to Consider
When choosing a college for philosophy, consider these factors:
- Faculty Expertise: Look for departments with faculty specializing in areas of philosophy that interest you.
- Course Offerings: Ensure the college offers a diverse range of courses, covering both historical and contemporary topics.
- Research Opportunities: Check if the department encourages students to work with faculty on research projects.
- Learning Environment: Consider factors like class sizes, student-to-faculty ratio, and the overall academic culture.
- Financial Aid: Explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships to make your education more affordable.
- Location and Student Life: Think about the location of the college and whether it aligns with your personal preferences.
Career Prospects for Philosophy Graduates
A bachelor’s in philosophy is one of the most flexible undergraduate degrees. The fundamental skills a philosophy education teaches are communication, argument, and analysis. These are highly applicable skills in many fields, including writing, communication, marketing and market research, and law. Many graduates go on to pursue further degrees to specialize and apply their skills in a particular field. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy work in many fields with various job growth projections. They may become software developers, teachers, or business managers. In addition, some philosophy majors go on to earn advanced degrees in education, law, business, or medicine.
Skills Developed in a Philosophy Program
Philosophy students learn to evaluate the arguments and reasoning for areas such as knowledge, morality, and religion. They study deep questions such as “Can we really know anything?” and “Is it ever OK to lie?” Students learn how to use analytical methods to evaluate values, factual claims, and arguments. Typical courses include topics in philosophy, philosophy of the mind, and the history of modern philosophy. Learners also study contemporary analytic philosophy. Actual required courses vary by school and concentration. Bachelor’s in philosophy program students graduate with the ability to reason well, apply the concepts of logical theory, and explain the philosophical positions taken by various historical figures. They can point out the major issues in different philosophy areas and summarize the primary arguments for each position.
Concentrations in Philosophy
Most schools that offer a bachelor’s degree in philosophy offer a bachelor of arts degree. However, schools may also offer a bachelor of philosophy degree that focuses more on philosophy and less on the other humanities. Some possible concentrations include:
- General Philosophy
- Law and Justice
- Humanistic Philosophy
- Philosophy and Science
- Political and Moral Philosophy
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