Best Philosophy Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 6 colleges offering Philosophy programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 67 recent graduates. Graduates earn $30,129 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $29,380.

Schools in IL

$30,129

IL Avg. Earnings

$29,380

National Avg.

147

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Philosophy in Illinois

Public Schools (2)

$33,444

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (4)

$28,471

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Illinois produce comparable or higher early earnings for Philosophy graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Philosophy Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,698

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 4.8%

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$19,455

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 81.4%

Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL · Private

$28,598

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,581

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 90.0%

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$38,289

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 89.0%

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$28,598

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $22,831

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 43.7%

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

$31,839

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 7.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Philosophy in Illinois?

University of Chicago ranks #1 for Philosophy in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $33,993 within two years of graduation. There are 6 schools offering Philosophy programs in the state.

How much do Philosophy graduates earn in Illinois?

Philosophy graduates in Illinois earn an average of $30,129 within two years of graduation. This is 3% above the national average of $29,380 for this major.

What is the hardest Philosophy school to get into in Illinois?

University of Chicago is the most selective Philosophy program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 4.8%. The average acceptance rate across Philosophy programs in the state is 52.7%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Philosophy in Illinois?

In Illinois, private Philosophy programs produce average earnings of $28,471 vs $33,444 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 2 public and 4 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318

All colleges in Illinois →

Philosophy in Other States

California New York Pennsylvania Massachusetts Texas Wisconsin Ohio Minnesota Florida Virginia New Jersey Washington View All →

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.