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# Best Philosophy Colleges in Virginia (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

This page ranks the 7 Philosophy programs in Virginia by the median earnings of Philosophy graduates four years after completing. [William & Mary](/school/william-mary/majors/) 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

7 schools in list order

| 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](/school/william-mary/majors/) reports [$75,423 in median earnings](/school/william-mary/outcomes/) 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](/school/james-madison-university/majors/) ranks 2nd on this list, with a [six-year completion rate of 80%](/school/james-madison-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/virginia-commonwealth-university/majors/) [ranks 171st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/virginia-commonwealth-university/) 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](/school/liberty-university/majors/), a private nonprofit institution in Lynchburg, [admits 99% of applicants](/school/liberty-university/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-virginia-main-campus/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 96%](/school/university-of-virginia-main-campus/outcomes/) 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](/school/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $33,990](/school/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/rankings/best-colleges-in-virginia/)
-   [Best Philosophy Colleges in Minnesota](/rankings/best-philosophy-colleges-in-minnesota/)
-   [Best Philosophy Colleges in Texas](/rankings/best-philosophy-colleges-in-texas/)
-   Philosophy Colleges in California