[College research](/) / [Rankings](/rankings/) # Best Philosophy Colleges in North Carolina (2026) Updated October 1, 2026 This page ranks the 7 Philosophy programs in North Carolina by median earnings of Philosophy graduates four years after completing. Across the 4 schools with a published figure, median earnings range from $65,974 to $42,597, with a median of $53,350. [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, reporting $65,974 for its Philosophy graduates four years after completing. Public institutions account for 6 of the 7 listed schools, or 86%. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks 50th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of North Carolina at Greensboro posts the lowest average net price on the page, at $10,965. ## The ranked list 7 schools in list order | Rank | School | Median Philosophy Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC | $65,974 | $11,655 | $2,004 | 15.3% | | | [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/majors/) reports [$65,974 in median earnings](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/outcomes/) of Philosophy graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 91%. | | | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Philosophy (56 graduates), Religion/Religious Studies (20 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Philosophy ($70,709) | | 2 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC | $58,285 | $17,303 | $6,382 | 41.7% | | | [North Carolina State University at Raleigh](/school/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh/majors/) [admits 42% of applicants](/school/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh/admissions/) and posts an average net price of $17,303. | | | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Philosophy (20 graduates), Religion/Religious Studies (6 graduates) | | 3 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $48,414 | $15,435 | $10,357 | 79.6% | | | [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/majors/) ranks 3rd on this list, reporting [$48,414 in median earnings](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/outcomes/) of Philosophy graduates four years after completing. | | | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Philosophy (23 graduates), Religion/Religious Studies (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Religion/Religious Studies ($52,012) | | 4 | University of North Carolina Wilmington · Wilmington, NC | $42,597 | $20,109 | $10,778 | 64.2% | | | A [six-year completion rate of 71%](/school/university-of-north-carolina-wilmington/outcomes/) and an average net price of $10,778 for families earning under $30,000 accompany [University of North Carolina Wilmington](/school/university-of-north-carolina-wilmington/majors/)'s 4th position. | | | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other (19 graduates) | | 5 | Gardner-Webb University · Boiling Springs, NC | $37,084 | $17,674 | $15,304 | 77.2% | | | Gardner-Webb University, a private nonprofit university in Boiling Springs, ranks 823rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | | | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Religion/Religious Studies (13 graduates) | | 6 | Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC | $35,643 | $13,315 | $8,816 | 81.8% | | | An [admission rate of 82%](/school/western-carolina-university/admissions/) and a six-year completion rate of 60% characterize [Western Carolina University](/school/western-carolina-university/majors/), which ranks 6th on this list. | | | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Philosophy (12 graduates) | | 7 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC | $20,287 | $10,965 | $7,305 | 88.5% | | | [University of North Carolina at Greensboro](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/majors/) posts the lowest average net price on the page at $10,965 and an [admission rate of 89%](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/admissions/). | | | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Philosophy (22 graduates) | ## How this list is ordered Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Philosophy graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Philosophy earnings cohort in North Carolina appear. The figures are medians for federally aided Philosophy graduates who were working and not enrolled four years after completing. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 4 schools with a published figure. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill leads North Carolina State University at Raleigh by $7,689, and the spread from the top of the list to the bottom is $23,377. ## Related rankings - Philosophy Colleges - [Best Colleges in North Carolina](/rankings/best-colleges-in-north-carolina/) - [Best Philosophy Colleges in Minnesota](/rankings/best-philosophy-colleges-in-minnesota/) - [Best Philosophy Colleges in Virginia](/rankings/best-philosophy-colleges-in-virginia/) - [Best Philosophy Colleges in Texas](/rankings/best-philosophy-colleges-in-texas/) - Philosophy Colleges in California