Best Philosophy Colleges in Virginia (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 7 Philosophy programs in Virginia by the median earnings of Philosophy graduates four years after completing. William & Mary ranks 1st with median earnings of $75,423 for its graduates after completing.
Across the 5 schools with a reported completion median, median earnings range from $75,423 to $31,133, with a median of $47,991. For 2 of the 7 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 6 of the 7 schools, or 86% of the list. William & Mary posts the lowest average net price at $19,096.
University of Virginia-Main Campus ranks 77th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Philosophy Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William & Mary · Williamsburg, VA | $75,423 | $19,096 | $3,106 | 34.1% |
| William & Mary reports $75,423 in median earnings of Philosophy graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $3,106 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Philosophy (35 graduates), Religion/Religious Studies (14 graduates) | |||||
| 2 | James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA | $59,604 | $23,322 | $11,444 | 71.5% |
| James Madison University ranks 2nd on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 80% and an admission rate of 72%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other (15 graduates) | |||||
| 3 | Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA | $57,146 | $23,433 | $17,512 | 92.6% |
| A public university in Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University ranks 171st on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally and posts an average net price of $23,433. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Philosophy (33 graduates), Religion/Religious Studies (7 graduates) | |||||
| 4 | Liberty University · Lynchburg, VA | $47,991 | $29,357 | $30,667 | 99.0% |
| Liberty University, a private nonprofit institution in Lynchburg, admits 99% of applicants and reports $47,991 in median earnings for its Philosophy graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Religion/Religious Studies (662 graduates), Philosophy (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Religion/Religious Studies ($47,991) | |||||
| 5 | University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA | $47,510 | $21,565 | $8,174 | 16.8% |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus posts a six-year completion rate of 96% and an admission rate of 17%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Religion/Religious Studies (40 graduates), Philosophy (32 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Religion/Religious Studies ($58,324) | |||||
| 6 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA | $33,990 | $24,953 | $11,689 | 54.8% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University reports median earnings of $33,990 for its Philosophy graduates two years after completing and an average net price of $11,689 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Philosophy (34 graduates), Religion/Religious Studies (14 graduates) | |||||
| 7 | University of Mary Washington · Fredericksburg, VA | $31,133 | $20,667 | $10,304 | 79.8% |
| University of Mary Washington ranks 759th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally and has a six-year completion rate of 66%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other (26 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Philosophy graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figure reflects federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled after completing. For 2 of the 7 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The figures cited on this page cover the 5 schools with a reported completion median. William & Mary leads James Madison University by $15,819 in median earnings after completing.
Related rankings
- Philosophy Colleges
- Best Colleges in Virginia
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- Best Philosophy Colleges in Texas
- Philosophy Colleges in California