By major
Colleges for Philosophy in California
58 colleges in California award a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, according to federal data. Each is rated on academics and value, with every figure linked to its source.
Highest-rated
#1
California Institute of Technology
Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 1%Pasadena, CA · Value — · Academics A+
Where graduates earn the most
Median earnings of bachelor’s graduates in this field a few years after finishing, from the College Scorecard.
| Rank | College | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Earnings $98,592 · Debt — | $98,592 | — |
| 2 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Earnings $71,796 · Debt $15,000 | $71,796 | $15,000 |
| 3 | California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, CA Earnings $65,115 · Debt $14,753 | $65,115 | $14,753 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Earnings $63,326 · Debt $13,345 | $63,326 | $13,345 |
| 5 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Earnings $61,754 · Debt $15,000 | $61,754 | $15,000 |
| 6 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Earnings $58,633 · Debt $13,000 | $58,633 | $13,000 |
| 7 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA Earnings $53,390 · Debt $25,000 | $53,390 | $25,000 |
| 8 | California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Earnings $53,127 · Debt — | $53,127 | — |
| 9 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Earnings $51,831 · Debt $7,500 | $51,831 | $7,500 |
| 10 | University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA Earnings $51,402 · Debt $19,022 | $51,402 | $19,022 |
| 11 | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Earnings $51,398 · Debt $15,000 | $51,398 | $15,000 |
| 12 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA Earnings $49,062 · Debt $12,919 | $49,062 | $12,919 |
| 13 | California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA Earnings $48,566 · Debt — | $48,566 | — |
| 14 | California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, CA Earnings $44,533 · Debt — | $44,533 | — |
| 15 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Earnings $42,993 · Debt $15,750 | $42,993 | $15,750 |
| 16 | California State University-Fresno Fresno, CA Earnings $42,337 · Debt $13,824 | $42,337 | $13,824 |
All 58
Filter, sort and compare these colleges
| School | Compass Score | Value | Academics | Net price | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Pasadena · Private nonprofit | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | A+Academics: A+ (grade A+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $16,075 | 2,463 | |
| Stanford University Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Stanford · Private nonprofit | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A+Academics: A+ (grade A+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $13,807 | 18,446 | |
| Pomona College Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Claremont · Private nonprofit | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A+Academics: A+ (grade A+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $19,285 | 1,664 | |
| Claremont McKenna College Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Claremont · Private nonprofit | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A+Academics: A+ (grade A+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $28,849 | 1,384 | |
| University of Southern California Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Los Angeles · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A+Academics: A+ (grade A+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $32,740 | 47,147 | |
| University of California-Berkeley Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Berkeley · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $13,481 | 45,699 | |
| University of California-Los Angeles Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Los Angeles · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $12,548 | 46,678 | |
| Harvey Mudd College Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Claremont · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A+Academics: A+ (grade A+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $35,924 | 949 | |
| University of California-San Diego Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. La Jolla · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $12,470 | 42,376 | |
| University of California-Irvine Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Irvine · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $14,251 | 36,582 | |
| Scripps College Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.All-femaleAll-female: the school enrolls women only. Claremont · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $36,294 | 1,103 | |
| Pitzer College Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Claremont · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $34,191 | 1,204 | |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. San Luis Obispo · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $16,665 | 22,485 | |
| Santa Clara University Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Santa Clara · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $50,062 | 9,340 | |
| University of California-Santa Barbara Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Santa Barbara · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $16,109 | 26,068 | |
| University of California-Davis Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Davis · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $14,741 | 39,707 | |
| Occidental College Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Los Angeles · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $38,263 | 1,854 | |
| Loyola Marymount University Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Los Angeles · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $48,381 | 10,256 | |
| San Diego State University Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. San Diego · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $15,364 | 39,241 | |
| Pepperdine University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Malibu · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $58,098 | 9,545 | |
| University of San Diego RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. San Diego · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $30,365 | 9,110 | |
| Chapman University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Orange · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $46,555 | 9,961 | |
| University of the Pacific RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Stockton · Private nonprofit | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $25,447 | 6,755 | |
| California State University-Long Beach RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Long Beach · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $10,440 | 40,278 | |
| University of California-Santa Cruz RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Santa Cruz · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,890 | 19,764 | |
| University of San Francisco RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. San Francisco · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $41,431 | 9,212 | |
| Westmont College RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Santa Barbara · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $29,053 | 1,310 | |
| Point Loma Nazarene University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. San Diego · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $38,729 | 4,494 | |
| University of California-Riverside RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Riverside · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $14,304 | 26,426 | |
| California Lutheran University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Thousand Oaks · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $30,109 | 3,413 | |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Pomona · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $11,531 | 26,848 | |
| San Jose State University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. San Jose · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $13,760 | 36,062 | |
| California State University-Fullerton RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Fullerton · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $6,555 | 41,962 | |
| Biola University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. La Mirada · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $31,495 | 5,296 | |
| University of Redlands RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Redlands · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $30,031 | 3,192 | |
| Saint Mary's College of California RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Moraga · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $30,378 | 2,775 | |
| University of California-Merced RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Merced · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $11,983 | 9,147 | |
| Azusa Pacific University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Azusa · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $22,212 | 6,487 | |
| California State University-Chico Chico · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $14,480 | 14,523 | |
| California State University-Fresno Fresno · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $7,000 | 23,986 | |
| California State University-Stanislaus Turlock · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $6,067 | 9,841 | |
| Sonoma State University Rohnert Park · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $12,885 | 5,990 | |
| California State University-Sacramento Sacramento · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $9,338 | 31,172 | |
| California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $4,564 | 18,925 | |
| University of La Verne La Verne · Private nonprofit | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,161 | 5,596 | |
| San Francisco State University San Francisco · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $12,278 | 23,908 | |
| California State University-Northridge Northridge · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $7,021 | 37,760 | |
| California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $3,967 | 25,080 | |
| California State University-Bakersfield Bakersfield · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $5,652 | 9,787 | |
| Fresno Pacific University Fresno · Private nonprofit | A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $13,630 | 2,921 | |
| Mount Saint Mary's University All-femaleAll-female: the school enrolls women only. Los Angeles · Private nonprofit | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $21,413 | 2,308 | |
| Whittier College Whittier · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $25,757 | 859 | |
| California Baptist University Riverside · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $26,285 | 11,407 | |
| La Sierra University Riverside · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $45,566 | 1,611 | |
| California State University-East Bay Hayward · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $9,320 | 13,333 | |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $13,171 | 6,156 | |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $8,615 | 15,181 | |
| Notre Dame de Namur University Belmont · Private nonprofit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | 237 |
Common questions
How many colleges in California offer a philosophy degree?
58, counting colleges that award a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard data. Some colleges offer the field as a minor or under another name; check each college’s catalog.
How are these colleges rated?
Every college is rated from the U.S. Department of Education’s data: Academic Excellence (graduation, retention, preparation and teaching) and Value (what families pay after aid, what graduates earn, and student debt). The major does not affect the grades. See the methodology.
Other majors
NursingBusinessEngineeringComputer ScienceBiologyPsychologyTeacher EducationAccountingFinanceCommunicationPolitical ScienceEconomicsTheologyEnglishHistoryMathematicsChemistryCriminal JusticePharmacyMusicSocial WorkKinesiology and Exercise ScienceNeuroscienceArchitecture