Best Master’s in Philosophy Programs
Philosophy encourages people to question everything from schools of thought to life itself. Discover the best master’s in philosophy programs.
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A master’s in philosophy is a graduate degree that offers advanced training in the humanities, building skills in critical analysis, argumentation, and written communication. Most programs take about two years to complete, though online or part-time programs may take longer.
Tuition rates for master’s in philosophy programs vary widely among schools. However, the National Center for Education Statistics reports that graduate students in all fields paid an average of $19,792 for the 2019-2020 school year.
When researching master’s in philosophy programs, always consider a school’s true program cost and whether you’ll need to take on debt to attend school.
Like many humanities degrees, an online master’s in philosophy builds broad, widely applicable skills that can lead to many career paths. Philosophy graduates often find jobs in fields such as teaching, law, and journalism.
Payscale reports master’s in philosophy graduates earn an average base salary of $76,000 per year, as of June 2022.
Our Top Pick
Yale University — New Haven, Connecticut
Why It’s #1: Yale University is the No. 1-ranked school on our 2022 Best Master’s in Philosophy Programs list. This school features a highly selective admissions rate of just 6%, paired with an above-average 97% graduation rate. While Yale’s annual graduate tuition rate of $43,300 is higher than average, around 64% of students are awarded financial aid. Degree candidates also benefit from an enviable student-faculty ratio of just 6-to-1, helping to ensure close attention from professors.
Best Accredited Master’s in Philosophy Programs
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
2022- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
Yale University
New Haven, CT4 yearCampus
$43,300
$43,300
6%
0%
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Term
In State | $23,450
Out of State | $23,450
Credits to Graduate
N/A
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
A prestigious Ivy League college based in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale offers one of the country's top master's in philosophy programs. Candidates complete courses in areas including theory of knowledge, philosophy of language, and aesthetics. Yale also requires philosophy students to take at least one course in logic.
Applicants must submit undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a writing sample. Yale does not require graduate applicants to submit GRE scores.
$55,500
$55,500
99%
13,609
Private
Yes
$43,300
$43,300
New Haven, CT4 yearCampus
$43,300
$43,300
6%
0%
$55,500
$55,500
99%
13,609
Private
Yes
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Term
In State | $23,450
Out of State | $23,450
Credits to Graduate
N/A
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
A prestigious Ivy League college based in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale offers one of the country's top master's in philosophy programs. Candidates complete courses in areas including theory of knowledge, philosophy of language, and aesthetics. Yale also requires philosophy students to take at least one course in logic.
Applicants must submit undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a writing sample. Yale does not require graduate applicants to submit GRE scores.
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$36,254
$36,254
8%
6%
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $7,712
Out of State | $7,712
Credits to Graduate
24
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
Another member of the Ivy League, Philadelphia-based Penn offers a top-ranked master's in philosophy degree. Graduate candidates complete eight courses, exploring subjects including logic, value theory, and the history of philosophy. The curriculum also includes either a research-based thesis or a substantial scholarly research paper.
Applicants must submit undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Candidates must also submit a curriculum vitae that outlines their relevant academic experience.
$51,156
$51,156
98%
26,675
Private
Yes
$36,254
$36,254
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$36,254
$36,254
8%
6%
$51,156
$51,156
98%
26,675
Private
Yes
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $7,712
Out of State | $7,712
Credits to Graduate
24
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
Another member of the Ivy League, Philadelphia-based Penn offers a top-ranked master's in philosophy degree. Graduate candidates complete eight courses, exploring subjects including logic, value theory, and the history of philosophy. The curriculum also includes either a research-based thesis or a substantial scholarly research paper.
Applicants must submit undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Candidates must also submit a curriculum vitae that outlines their relevant academic experience.
Brown University
Providence, RI4 yearCampus
$57,112
$57,112
7%
N/A
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Course
In State | $7,835
Out of State | $7,835
Credits to Graduate
24
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown hosts one of New England's best master's in philosophy programs. Students complete coursework in areas including epistemology, ethics, and metaphysics, all grounded in the history of philosophy. Candidates choose from either a thesis or non-thesis option, with non-thesis candidates completing two additional philosophy courses.
Program applicants must submit undergraduate transcripts, a writing sample, and three letters of recommendation. Brown also requires applicants to submit GRE scores.
$57,112
$57,112
98%
10,333
Private
Yes
$57,112
$57,112
Providence, RI4 yearCampus
$57,112
$57,112
7%
N/A
$57,112
$57,112
98%
10,333
Private
Yes
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Course
In State | $7,835
Out of State | $7,835
Credits to Graduate
24
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown hosts one of New England's best master's in philosophy programs. Students complete coursework in areas including epistemology, ethics, and metaphysics, all grounded in the history of philosophy. Candidates choose from either a thesis or non-thesis option, with non-thesis candidates completing two additional philosophy courses.
Program applicants must submit undergraduate transcripts, a writing sample, and three letters of recommendation. Brown also requires applicants to submit GRE scores.
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$47,600
$47,600
5%
6%
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Semester
In State | $32,363
Out of State | $32,363
Credits to Graduate
30
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
An Ivy League school based in New York City, Columbia offers a master's in philosophy with both full-time and part-time enrollment options. The program focuses on three distribution groups, including value theory, theory of knowledge, and history of philosophy. Master's candidates are not required to complete a graduate thesis.
Applicants must submit a resume, undergraduate transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. Columbia also requires students to submit a statement of purpose and a philosophy writing sample.
$57,763
$57,763
99%
31,456
Private
Yes
$47,600
$47,600
New York, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$47,600
$47,600
5%
6%
$57,763
$57,763
99%
31,456
Private
Yes
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Semester
In State | $32,363
Out of State | $32,363
Credits to Graduate
30
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
An Ivy League school based in New York City, Columbia offers a master's in philosophy with both full-time and part-time enrollment options. The program focuses on three distribution groups, including value theory, theory of knowledge, and history of philosophy. Master's candidates are not required to complete a graduate thesis.
Applicants must submit a resume, undergraduate transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. Columbia also requires students to submit a statement of purpose and a philosophy writing sample.
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL4 yearCampus + Online
$56,067
$56,067
9%
2%
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Quarter
In State | $18,689
Out of State | $18,689
Credits to Graduate
N/A
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
A prestigious private college based in Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern hosts one of the top master's in philosophy programs in the Midwest. The degree curriculum includes courses in ancient philosophy, modern philosophy, and contemporary philosophy. Candidates earn their master of arts in philosophy after completing the first two years of Ph.D. coursework.
All applicants must submit undergraduate transcripts, at least three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Students must also submit a philosophy writing sample.
$56,232
$56,232
98%
22,448
Private
Yes
$56,067
$56,067
Evanston, IL4 yearCampus + Online
$56,067
$56,067
9%
2%
$56,232
$56,232
98%
22,448
Private
Yes
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Quarter
In State | $18,689
Out of State | $18,689
Credits to Graduate
N/A
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
A prestigious private college based in Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern hosts one of the top master's in philosophy programs in the Midwest. The degree curriculum includes courses in ancient philosophy, modern philosophy, and contemporary philosophy. Candidates earn their master of arts in philosophy after completing the first two years of Ph.D. coursework.
All applicants must submit undergraduate transcripts, at least three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Students must also submit a philosophy writing sample.
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN4 yearCampus + Online
$48,624
$48,624
9%
8%
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $2,215
Out of State | $2,215
Credits to Graduate
30
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
One of the top colleges in the South, Vanderbilt offers a unique master's in philosophy program that allows qualified undergraduates to earn their degree with just one year of graduate study. The program is only available to current Vanderbilt students.
Undergraduate philosophy majors can apply to the 4+1 master's program during their senior year. Applicants must hold a minimum 3.3 GPA and submit a statement of purpose, undergraduate transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.
$50,800
$50,800
97%
13,131
Private
Yes
$48,624
$48,624
Nashville, TN4 yearCampus + Online
$48,624
$48,624
9%
8%
$50,800
$50,800
97%
13,131
Private
Yes
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $2,215
Out of State | $2,215
Credits to Graduate
30
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
One of the top colleges in the South, Vanderbilt offers a unique master's in philosophy program that allows qualified undergraduates to earn their degree with just one year of graduate study. The program is only available to current Vanderbilt students.
Undergraduate philosophy majors can apply to the 4+1 master's program during their senior year. Applicants must hold a minimum 3.3 GPA and submit a statement of purpose, undergraduate transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC4 yearCampus + Online
$10,552
$28,278
23%
12%
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $586
Out of State | $1602
Credits to Graduate
30
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
As North Carolina's flagship public school, UNC-Chapel Hill offers one of the state's best master's in philosophy programs. Candidates must complete courses in three distribution areas: history of philosophy, metaphysics and epistemology, and ethics and value theory. Students must also complete a three-credit thesis focusing on a significant philosophical concept or issue.
Applicants must submit transcripts, a statement of purpose, and a writing sample. UNC-Chapel Hill does not require applicants to submit GRE scores.
$7,019
$34,198
96%
29,877
Public
Yes
$10,552
$28,278
Chapel Hill, NC4 yearCampus + Online
$10,552
$28,278
23%
12%
$7,019
$34,198
96%
29,877
Public
Yes
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $586
Out of State | $1602
Credits to Graduate
30
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
As North Carolina's flagship public school, UNC-Chapel Hill offers one of the state's best master's in philosophy programs. Candidates must complete courses in three distribution areas: history of philosophy, metaphysics and epistemology, and ethics and value theory. Students must also complete a three-credit thesis focusing on a significant philosophical concept or issue.
Applicants must submit transcripts, a statement of purpose, and a writing sample. UNC-Chapel Hill does not require applicants to submit GRE scores.
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$10,770
$27,335
37%
46%
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Year
In State | $12,744
Out of State | $30,138
Credits to Graduate
36
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
One of Florida's major public colleges, UF hosts a top-ranked master's in philosophy degree program. Master's candidates gain knowledge of the major periods of philosophy along with areas such as epistemology, ethics, and logic. During the program's second year, students must complete a final oral exam that assesses knowledge of major course topics.
Graduate applicants must submit college transcripts, a writing sample, and a statement of purpose. UF no longer requires students to submit GRE scores.
$4,477
$25,694
97%
52,407
Public
Yes
$10,770
$27,335
Gainesville, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$10,770
$27,335
37%
46%
$4,477
$25,694
97%
52,407
Public
Yes
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Year
In State | $12,744
Out of State | $30,138
Credits to Graduate
36
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
One of Florida's major public colleges, UF hosts a top-ranked master's in philosophy degree program. Master's candidates gain knowledge of the major periods of philosophy along with areas such as epistemology, ethics, and logic. During the program's second year, students must complete a final oral exam that assesses knowledge of major course topics.
Graduate applicants must submit college transcripts, a writing sample, and a statement of purpose. UF no longer requires students to submit GRE scores.
Tufts University
Medford, MA4 yearCampus + Online
$52,724
$52,724
15%
3%
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Program
In State | $54,196
Out of State | $54,196
Credits to Graduate
N/A
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
A private college based in Medford, Massachusetts, Tufts offers a master's in philosophy designed to prepare students for competitive doctoral programs. Candidates complete courses in three major areas: normative philosophy, history of philosophy, and metaphysics and epistemology. Many graduates continue on to philosophy Ph.D. or law programs.
Master's applicants must submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a resume or curriculum vitae. Philosophy applicants must also submit a writing sample and a statement of purpose.
$57,324
$57,324
96%
11,878
Private
Yes
$52,724
$52,724
Medford, MA4 yearCampus + Online
$52,724
$52,724
15%
3%
$57,324
$57,324
96%
11,878
Private
Yes
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Program
In State | $54,196
Out of State | $54,196
Credits to Graduate
N/A
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
A private college based in Medford, Massachusetts, Tufts offers a master's in philosophy designed to prepare students for competitive doctoral programs. Candidates complete courses in three major areas: normative philosophy, history of philosophy, and metaphysics and epistemology. Many graduates continue on to philosophy Ph.D. or law programs.
Master's applicants must submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a resume or curriculum vitae. Philosophy applicants must also submit a writing sample and a statement of purpose.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI4 yearCampus + Online
$23,890
$48,204
23%
1%
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $1,790
Out of State | $3,247
Credits to Graduate
24
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
One of the country's top public colleges, U-M offers a master's in philosophy that primarily serves students hoping to pursue a Ph.D. The program features courses in areas including aesthetics, philosophy of language, and social and political philosophy.
The master's program typically enrolls applicants already studying at U-M who would benefit from advanced training in philosophy. The program rarely accepts students from other institutions. Applicants must submit a personal statement, an academic statement, and a philosophy writing sample.
$16,212
$52,669
97%
48,090
Public
Yes
$23,890
$48,204
Ann Arbor, MI4 yearCampus + Online
$23,890
$48,204
23%
1%
$16,212
$52,669
97%
48,090
Public
Yes
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $1,790
Out of State | $3,247
Credits to Graduate
24
Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A
One of the country's top public colleges, U-M offers a master's in philosophy that primarily serves students hoping to pursue a Ph.D. The program features courses in areas including aesthetics, philosophy of language, and social and political philosophy.
The master's program typically enrolls applicants already studying at U-M who would benefit from advanced training in philosophy. The program rarely accepts students from other institutions. Applicants must submit a personal statement, an academic statement, and a philosophy writing sample.
Frequently Asked Questions About Philosophy Programs
While not the most career-focused degree, a master’s in philosophy program can be a good choice If you receive strong financial aid. As a graduate philosophy student, you’ll develop advanced critical thinking and analytical skills while also building broad knowledge of the history of philosophy. The degree can prepare you for many career paths or for Ph.D. programs.
For many students, cost is the biggest concern when pursuing graduate education. Enrolling in an online program can often give you the flexibility to maintain your current job while you complete your education, which can make tuition less of a burden.
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