Best Philosophy programs in Pennsylvania, ranked by enrollment
Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology.
71 schools in Pennsylvania run programs that feed this job, graduating 1,531 people a year. The job pays a median of $76,600 in Pennsylvania across about 1,280 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in Pennsylvania that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
21 programs in Pennsylvania that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in Pennsylvania (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Pennsylvania page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 38.0101In Pennsylvania → | 321 | 21.0% | 47 | $31,618 | $22,862 |
| 2 | CIP 39.0201In Pennsylvania → | 224 | 14.6% | 7 | $33,182 | $25,000 |
| 3 | CIP 39.0602In Pennsylvania → | 203 | 13.3% | 15 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 4 | CIP 38.0199In Pennsylvania → | 183 | 12.0% | 1 | $31,618 | $22,862 |
| 5 | CIP 39.0601In Pennsylvania → | 133 | 8.7% | 16 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 6 | CIP 39.0699In Pennsylvania → | 119 | 7.8% | 7 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 7 | CIP 51.3201In Pennsylvania → | 100 | 6.5% | 6 | $99,851 | $21,475 |
| 8 | Religion/Religious Studiesmain feeder CIP 38.0201In Pennsylvania → | 90 | 5.9% | 25 | $26,048 | $25,612 |
| 9 | CIP 39.0701In Pennsylvania → | 65 | 4.2% | 4 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 10 | Talmudic Studiesmain feeder CIP 38.0207In Pennsylvania → | 35 | 2.3% | 2 | $26,048 | $25,612 |
| 11 | CIP 38.0104In Pennsylvania → | 15 | 1.0% | 2 | $31,618 | $22,862 |
| 12 | CIP 39.0605In Pennsylvania → | 10 | 0.7% | 1 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 13 | CIP 38.0103In Pennsylvania → | 7 | 0.5% | 1 | $31,618 | $22,862 |
| 14 | CIP 39.0301In Pennsylvania → | 7 | 0.5% | 2 | $28,103 | $17,318 |
| 15 | CIP 39.0501In Pennsylvania → | 7 | 0.5% | 2 | $30,092 | $27,000 |
| 16 | CIP 39.0401In Pennsylvania → | 4 | 0.3% | 1 | $32,351 | $25,937 |
| 17 | CIP 39.0502In Pennsylvania → | 2 | 0.1% | 1 | $30,092 | $27,000 |
| 18 | CIP 39.0604In Pennsylvania → | 2 | 0.1% | 1 | $32,202 | $25,375 |
| 19 | CIP 39.0703In Pennsylvania → | 2 | 0.1% | 1 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
| 20 | CIP 30.5101In Pennsylvania → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | — | — |
| 21 | CIP 39.0706In Pennsylvania → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $32,226 | $26,000 |
Top 25 schools in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 9 of the 71 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lancaster Bible College Lancaster, PA Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 272 | Bible/Biblical Studies | $44,601 | 67% | $21,399 | 56% |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 261 | Philosophy, Other | $73,053 | 97% | $22,055 | 5% |
| 3 | Eastern University Saint Davids, PA Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 86 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | 54% | $25,146 | 91% |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 71 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · 3 feeder programs | 60 | Philosophy | — | 85% | — | 58% |
| 6 | Westminster Theological Seminary Glenside, PA Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 56 | Divinity/Ministry | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary - Overbrook Ambler, PA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 55 | Divinity/Ministry | — | 42% | $38,776 | 100% |
| 8 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA Public · 4 feeder programs | 51 | Bioethics/Medical Ethics | — | 75% | — | 80% |
| 9 | Villanova University Villanova, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 42 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | 92% | $33,774 | 27% |
| 10 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · 1 feeder programs | 41 | Philosophy | $17,881 | 86% | — | 61% |
| 11 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 38 | Bioethics/Medical Ethics | — | 77% | $32,060 | 84% |
| 12 | Cairn University - Langhorne Langhorne, PA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 33 | Bible/Biblical Studies | — | 60% | $28,320 | 88% |
| 13 | Trinity Anglican Seminary Ambridge, PA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 32 | Religion/Religious Studies | — | — | — | — |
| 14 | United Lutheran Seminary Gettysburg, PA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 30 | Divinity/Ministry | — | — | — | — |
| 15 | University of Valley Forge Phoenixville, PA Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 28 | Divinity/Ministry | $25,051 | 49% | $27,182 | 61% |
| 16 | Grove City College Grove City, PA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 26 | Religion/Religious Studies | — | 83% | — | 72% |
| 17 | Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 25 | Talmudic Studies | — | 50% | $9,683 | 90% |
| 18 | Saint Vincent Seminary Latrobe, PA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 23 | Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other | — | — | — | — |
| 19 | Moravian University Bethlehem, PA Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 21 | Theology/Theological Studies | — | 72% | $28,454 | 54% |
| 20 | Missio Theological Seminary Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 18 | Divinity/Ministry | — | — | — | — |
| 21 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 16 | Applied and Professional Ethics | — | 94% | $23,803 | 12% |
| 22 | Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 16 | Philosophy | — | 92% | $18,174 | 7% |
| 23 | Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 12 | Philosophy | — | 86% | $30,675 | 29% |
| 24 | Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 11 | Philosophy | — | 82% | $19,073 | 29% |
| 25 | Dickinson College Carlisle, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 10 | Philosophy | — | 80% | $22,831 | 42% |
All 71 schools in Pennsylvania
Every school in Pennsylvania with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.
| School | City | Control | Graduates / yr | Feeder programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster Bible College | Lancaster | Private not-for-profit | 272 | 6 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 261 | 4 |
| Eastern University | Saint Davids | Private not-for-profit | 86 | 5 |
| Pittsburgh Theological Seminary | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 71 | 2 |
| University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus | Pittsburgh | Public | 60 | 3 |
| Westminster Theological Seminary | Glenside | Private not-for-profit | 56 | 4 |
| Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary - Overbrook | Ambler | Private not-for-profit | 55 | 3 |
| Temple University | Philadelphia | Public | 51 | 4 |
| Villanova University | Villanova | Private not-for-profit | 42 | 2 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus | University Park | Public | 41 | 1 |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 38 | 3 |
| Cairn University - Langhorne | Langhorne | Private not-for-profit | 33 | 3 |
| Trinity Anglican Seminary | Ambridge | Private not-for-profit | 32 | 3 |
| United Lutheran Seminary | Gettysburg | Private not-for-profit | 30 | 3 |
| University of Valley Forge | Phoenixville | Private not-for-profit | 28 | 4 |
What philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary earn in Pennsylvania
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $80,260. Pennsylvania pays below the national figure.
Concentrated here: Pennsylvania employs more of this job per worker than the U.S. average.
Metro areas in Pennsylvania
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.
How to get in
The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary page.
How to become a Philosophy
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Top skills
The same job in other states
Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.
Related careers in Pennsylvania
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 25 majors mapped to Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 30.5101Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
- 38.0001Philosophy and Religious Studies, General
- 38.0101Philosophy
- 38.0103Ethics
- 38.0104Applied and Professional Ethics
- 38.0199Philosophy, Other
- 38.0201Religion/Religious Studies
- 38.0202Buddhist Studies
- 38.0203Christian Studies
- 38.0204Hindu Studies(no graduates reported)
- 38.0207Talmudic Studies
- 38.9999Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other
- 39.0201Bible/Biblical Studies
- 39.0301Missions/Missionary Studies
- 39.0401Religious Education
- 39.0501Religious/Sacred Music
- 39.0502Worship Ministry
- 39.0601Theology/Theological Studies
- 39.0602Divinity/Ministry
- 39.0604Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies
- 39.0605Rabbinical Studies
- 39.0699Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other
- 39.0701Pastoral Studies/Counseling
- 39.0703Urban Ministry
- 39.0706Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies
Common questions
Answers for people weighing philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary programs in Pennsylvania.
What degree do you need to become a Philosophy?+
Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Philosophy, which awarded 321 degrees in Pennsylvania in 2024-25, 21.0% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Philosophy?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 21 programs to this occupation. The largest are Philosophy, Theological and Ministerial Studies, Bible/Biblical Studies, Religion/Religious Studies, plus 6 more. Together they graduate about 1,531 people a year in Pennsylvania.
How much do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary earn in Pennsylvania?+
The median is $76,600 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 4.6% below the U.S. median of $80,260. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary growing?+
BLS projects a +0.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 2,000 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career in Pennsylvania?+
71 institutions in Pennsylvania reported graduates from at least one of the 21 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Professor, Religion Professor, Assistant Professor, Philosophy Professor among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 25-1126.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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