Best colleges for Philosophy in Massachusetts
Ranked by graduate earnings
Boston College, Boston University and Harvard University award the most Philosophy degrees in Massachusetts: 58, 52 and 44 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 30 Massachusetts colleges offer Philosophy and award 344 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 3 bachelor's programs, 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 | Boston College Chestnut Hill Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,345 | 58 | 91% | $21,126 | $18,000 |
| 2 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,377 | 52 | 89% | $21,956 | $25,750 |
| 3 | University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $36,581 | 15 | 49% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Philosophy degrees in Massachusetts
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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 | Boston College Chestnut Hill Private not-for-profit | 58 | $47,345 |
| 2 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit | 52 | $40,377 |
| 3 | Harvard University Cambridge Private not-for-profit | 44 | Not reported |
| 4 | Tufts University Medford Private not-for-profit | 26 | Not reported |
| 5 | Northeastern University Boston Private not-for-profit | 17 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst Public | 16 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston Public | 15 | $36,581 |
| 8 | Brandeis University Waltham Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 9 | Williams College Williamstown Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell Public | 9 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 20 Massachusetts colleges offering Philosophy
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| College of the Holy Cross | Worcester | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Clark University | Worcester | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Mount Holyoke College | South Hadley | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Wellesley College | Wellesley | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Gordon College | Wenham | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Suffolk University | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Bridgewater State University | Bridgewater | Public | 5 |
| Smith College | Northampton | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Assumption University | Worcester | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Amherst College | Amherst | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Hampshire College | Amherst | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Salem State University | Salem | Public | 3 |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | Norton | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Emmanuel College | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth | Public | 2 |
| Merrimack College | North Andover | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts | North Adams | Public | 1 |
| Simmons University | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Stonehill College | Easton | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mathematicians (SOC 15-2021).
Top skills
What Mathematicians earn in Massachusetts
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Philosophy programs in Massachusetts.
Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Philosophy degrees?+
Boston College (58 graduates a year), Boston University (52 graduates a year) and Harvard University (44 graduates a year) award the most Philosophy degrees in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 30 Massachusetts colleges offer Philosophy.
Which Philosophy program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Boston College tops the list at $47,345. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mathematicians earn in Massachusetts?+
The average annual wage for Mathematicians in Massachusetts is $103,600 (median $104,190), across about 40 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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