Iowa · Philosophy

Best colleges for Philosophy in Iowa

Ranked by graduates a year

University of Iowa, Grinnell College and Drake University award the most Philosophy degrees and certificates in Iowa: 23, 8 and 6 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Iowa colleges offer Philosophy and award 63 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…

Institutions
12
offering CIP 38.01
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
63
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
—
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
0
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,324
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
70%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Mathematicians
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

12 institutions offering Philosophy in Iowa

Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Iowa
Iowa City Public
—2375%—$26,260
2Grinnell College
Grinnell Private not-for-profit
—888%$14,470—
3Drake University
Des Moines Private not-for-profit
—674%$28,855—
4University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls Public
—568%——
5Cornell College
Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit
—462%$23,073—
6Saint Ambrose University
Davenport Private not-for-profit
—461%$21,680—
7Divine Word College
Epworth Private not-for-profit
—3100%——
8University of Dubuque
Dubuque Private not-for-profit
—340%$21,324—
9Central College
Pella Private not-for-profit
—266%$19,732—
10Iowa State University
Ames Public
—275%—$21,906
11Loras College
Dubuque Private not-for-profit
—268%$19,227—
12Simpson College
Indianola Private not-for-profit
—163%$20,710—

Colleges awarding the most Philosophy degrees in Iowa

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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of Iowa
Iowa City Public
23Not reported
2Grinnell College
Grinnell Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
3Drake University
Des Moines Private not-for-profit
6Not reported
4University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls Public
5Not reported
5Cornell College
Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
6Saint Ambrose University
Davenport Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
7Divine Word College
Epworth Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
8University of Dubuque
Dubuque Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
9Central College
Pella Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
10Iowa State University
Ames Public
2Not reported
Show the other 2 Iowa colleges offering Philosophy
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Loras CollegeDubuquePrivate not-for-profit2
Simpson CollegeIndianolaPrivate not-for-profit1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Mathematicians (SOC 15-2021).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-0.7%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$121,680
typically Master's degree

Top skills

MathematicsCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive LearningScienceWriting

What Mathematicians earn in Iowa

Jobs in Iowa
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$91,700 avg · 450 jobs
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
$82,740 avg · 260 jobs
Mathematicians
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Philosophy programs in Iowa.

Which Iowa colleges award the most Philosophy degrees?+

University of Iowa (23 graduates a year), Grinnell College (8 graduates a year) and Drake University (6 graduates a year) award the most Philosophy degrees and certificates in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Iowa colleges offer Philosophy.

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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