Best institutions to study Philosophy
Any instructional program in Philosophy not listed above.
22 U.S. institutions graduated 336 Philosophy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 38.0199, a specialization of Philosophy (CIP 38.01), and leads most directly to the Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1126).
About Philosophy programs
Any instructional program in Philosophy not listed above.
See also: 30.5101 - Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Philosophy program, classified under Philosophy and Religious Studies, offers students a comprehensive understanding of philosophical concepts and theories. This program is designed for those interested in exploring fundamental questions about existence, ethics, and knowledge, making it an ideal choice for critical thinkers and those passionate about intellectual discourse.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as critical thinking, reading comprehension, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes subjects like ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought, equipping graduates with a robust foundation in both philosophical and theological knowledge.
Credentials awarded
What Philosophy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree297 graduates / yr · 16 institutions88%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship23 graduates / yr · 3 institutions6.8%
- Master's degree9 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year7 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.1%
Graduates over time
Philosophy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 150 |
| 2013 | 198 |
| 2014 | 226 |
| 2015 | 234 |
| 2016 | 205 |
| 2017 | 212 |
| 2018 | 243 |
| 2019 | 247 |
| 2020 | 249 |
| 2021 | 286 |
| 2022 | 296 |
| 2023 | 286 |
| 2024 | 307 |
| 2025 | 336 |
Top 22 institutions for Philosophy, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 183 | 97% | $22,055 | $73,053 |
| 2 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 63 | 92% | $26,873 | $38,380 |
| 3 | Caribbean University - Bayamon Bayamon, PRPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 11 | 43% | $6,392 | — |
| 4 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 87% | — | $20,922 |
| 5 | College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NYPublicBachelor's | 8 | 34% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 70% | — | — |
| 7 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 8 | Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 59% | $22,906 | — |
| 9 | Caribbean University - Ponce Ponce, PRPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 6 | 37% | $6,680 | — |
| 10 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 76% | — | $25,171 |
| 11 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 80% | $24,886 | — |
| 12 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 49% | — | $36,581 |
| 13 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicMaster's | 4 | 48% | — | — |
| 14 | Spring Hill College Mobile, ALPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 52% | $14,119 | — |
| 15 | Lewis University Romeoville, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 67% | $17,632 | — |
| 16 | State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, NYPublicBachelor's | 3 | 60% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster's | 2 | 68% | — | $34,289 |
| 18 | Ohio Northern University Ada, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 75% | $23,912 | — |
| 19 | Randolph College Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 46% | $18,525 | — |
| 20 | Butler University Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 80% | $35,696 | — |
| 21 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 22 | Carroll University Waukesha, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 71% | $22,601 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Philosophy field (CIP 38.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 17 states & territories
Where Philosophy graduates come from. Each state links to all Philosophy programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 183 | University of Pennsylvania183 / yr |
| California | 3 | 77 | University of Southern California63 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 17 | Caribbean University - Bayamon11 / yr |
| Missouri | 2 | 12 | Washington University in St Louis7 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 11 | College of Staten Island CUNY8 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 7 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County7 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 6 | Loyola University New Orleans6 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 4 | University of Massachusetts - Boston4 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 4 | The University of Montana4 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 3 | Spring Hill College3 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 3 | Lewis University3 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 2 | University of Arizona2 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 2 | Ohio Northern University2 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 2 | Randolph College2 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 1 | Butler University1 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 1 | Duke University1 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | Carroll University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1126, Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Philosophy program can pursue careers as Philosophy and Religion Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook indicates little or no change in this field, with approximately 2,000 annual openings and a median wage of $78,050. Most positions require a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 38.0199
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1126 | $80,260 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~2,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- 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).
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Philosophy programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students and the community on topics such as ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Tools and technology used
Other Philosophy specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Philosophy (CIP 38.01).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Philosophy.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a Philosophy degree?+
You can work as a postsecondary Philosophy and Religion Teacher or in related fields.
What is the job outlook for Philosophy graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with around 2,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Philosophy?+
Philosophy is CIP 38.0199 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Philosophy (CIP 38.01). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in Philosophy not listed above.
How many institutions offer Philosophy programs?+
22 U.S. institutions reported Philosophy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 17 states & territories, awarding 336 credentials in the year. That is 4.4% of all Philosophy graduates.
How much do Philosophy graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Philosophy most directly leads to, pays a median of $80,260 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Philosophy field report median earnings of $36,581 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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