Best colleges for Philosophy in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago and Northwestern University award the most Philosophy degrees and certificates in Illinois: 48, 29 and 29 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 26 Illinois colleges offer Philosophy and award 270 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Philosophy program offers a systematic study of fundamental questions related to existence, knowledge, mind, reason, language, and value. It is designed for students interested in engaging in rational and critical inquiry, reflecting…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,824 | 23 | 85% | — | $18,750 |
| 2 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,219 | 5 | 57% | — | $24,362 |
Colleges awarding the most Philosophy degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 48 | Not reported |
| 2 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 29 | Not reported |
| 3 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 29 | Not reported |
| 4 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 26 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 23 | $21,824 |
| 6 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public | 21 | Not reported |
| 7 | Wheaton College Wheaton Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 9 | Illinois State University Normal Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | Knox College Galesburg Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 16 Illinois colleges offering Philosophy
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Evanston | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Lewis University | Romeoville | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| University of Illinois Springfield | Springfield | Public | 5 |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville | Public | 5 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Elmhurst University | Elmhurst | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Principia College | Elsah | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Southern Illinois University - Carbondale | Carbondale | Public | 4 |
| Bradley University | Peoria | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Lake Forest College | Lake Forest | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | Public | 3 |
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | Public | 2 |
| Millikin University | Decatur | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| North Central College | Naperville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Roosevelt University | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Chicago Theological Seminary (Graduate only) | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mathematicians (SOC 15-2021).
Top skills
What Mathematicians earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Philosophy programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Philosophy degrees?+
University of Chicago (48 graduates a year), Loyola University Chicago (29 graduates a year) and Northwestern University (29 graduates a year) award the most Philosophy degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 26 Illinois colleges offer Philosophy.
Which Philosophy program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign tops the list at $21,824. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mathematicians earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Mathematicians in Illinois is $121,990 (median $130,970), across about 60 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Philosophy program?+
The Philosophy program offers a systematic study of fundamental questions related to existence, knowledge, mind, reason, language, and value. It is designed for students interested in engaging in rational and critical inquiry, reflecting…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop mathematics, critical thinking, reading comprehension, active learning, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Mathematicians?+
The national job outlook is about -0.7% growth with around 100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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