Best colleges for Philosophy in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, University of Virginia and William & Mary award the most Philosophy degrees and certificates in Virginia: 53, 23 and 16 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 Virginia colleges offer Philosophy and award 165 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 institution, 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 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,192 | 16 | 63% | — | $21,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Philosophy degrees in Virginia
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 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public | 53 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of Virginia Charlottesville Public | 23 | Not reported |
| 3 | William & Mary Williamsburg Public | 16 | Not reported |
| 4 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 16 | Not reported |
| 5 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public | 16 | $26,192 |
| 6 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 7 | Christopher Newport University Newport News Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 8 | Hampden-Sydney College Hampden-Sydney Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 9 | Hollins University Roanoke Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 10 | Randolph College Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 8 Virginia colleges offering Philosophy
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Richmond | University of Richmond | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Washington and Lee University | Lexington | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Emory & Henry University | Emory | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| University of Lynchburg | Lynchburg | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Roanoke College | Salem | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Southern Virginia University | Buena Vista | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Sweet Briar College | Sweet Briar | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia Beach | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mathematicians (SOC 15-2021).
Top skills
What Mathematicians earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Philosophy programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Philosophy degrees?+
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (53 graduates a year), University of Virginia (23 graduates a year) and William & Mary (16 graduates a year) award the most Philosophy degrees and certificates in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 Virginia colleges offer Philosophy.
How much do Mathematicians earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Mathematicians in Virginia is $146,240 (median $148,030), across about 400 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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