Our Methodology
Forbes Advisor Best Online Philosophy Degree Options
Why the University of Arizona Ranks as No. 1
The University of Arizona (U of A) scored at or near the top in multiple metrics we used to rank the best online philosophy degrees. The school accepts 86% of applicants, reflecting its accessibility, and 75.8% of its instructional faculty is full-time, which can serve both as a quality indicator for the education students receive and as an indicator that students may be able to build meaningful relationships with their instructors over the course of their program.
U of A’s 88% first-to-second-year student retention rate is the highest among the nine schools in our ranking for which this data is available, and it offers students the highest average amount of aid to help pay for their degrees.
University of Arizona
Arizona State University Online
Oregon State University
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of Memphis
University of Illinois Springfield
University of Tennessee at Martin
Portland State University
University of Missouri – St. Louis
University of New Orleans
How To Find the Right Online Philosophy Degree for You
Pro Tip
If you have a specific career in mind that requires a graduate degree, choose a philosophy program that can help you meet admission requirements for graduate school.
Consider Your Future Goals
The best online philosophy degrees can help you develop communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are valuable for many fields and career paths, including education, business, law and public policy. However, each program is different, so choose one that aligns with your career and academic goals.
For example, explore whether a prospective program has internship or field experience opportunities. These components can help you make professional connections and get hands-on experience, but you’ll also need to consider the time and resources an internship requires, including travel time to and from the internship site.
Also, consider whether your goal is to apply to graduate school. If you want to go to law school, you might benefit from a philosophy program that offers a prelaw concentration, such as the one from UNC Greensboro. If you think you might want to earn a graduate degree in philosophy, consider accelerated programs that let you earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in philosophy concurrently, such as the one from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
Tuition rates for the online philosophy degrees on our list range from $184 to $580 per credit. (A notable outlier is the University of New Orleans, which charges $962 for one, two or three credits, rather than having an individual per-credit rate.) The average program requires 120 credits, bringing the total estimated cost to a range of $22,080 to $69,600 in tuition alone.
As a comparison, the average tuition and required fees at four-year schools in the U.S. were $17,709 during the 2022-2023 academic year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. For four years of study, this translates to a total cost of $70,836.
There are several ways to cover tuition, fees and other education costs. Your first step should be submitting the FAFSA to see what federal financial aid, such as federal grants and student loans, you’re eligible for. You might also qualify for scholarships from your school based on your FAFSA information.
You should also apply for private scholarships and grants available from nonprofit organizations and professional associations, as well as local and national businesses.
Accreditation for Online Philosophy Degrees
There are two main types of accreditation for colleges: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation applies to an entire college or university and shows that its programs (both in person and online), faculty, student outcomes, financial profile and services meet rigorous quality standards.
Programmatic accreditation applies to specific degree programs and shows that they provide quality education based on industry standards. Students in some disciplines need to complete a program with this type of accreditation to qualify for graduate school, transfer credits to another college or apply for a professional certification or license. However, this isn’t generally the case for the philosophy field.
What To Expect From an Online Philosophy Degree
Students who earn their philosophy degrees online typically take the same courses as their on-campus counterparts; the delivery method is what distinguishes this program type.
Asynchronous vs. Synchronous Classes
Schools can deliver courses for online philosophy degrees either asynchronously or synchronously.
Asynchronous courses allow learners to watch prerecorded lectures and communicate with their instructors and classmates via discussion boards. This flexible delivery format may work best for students who have busy or atypical schedules that might prohibit them from attending real-time courses. Learners can complete asynchronous coursework and submit assignments at a time that works best for them, as long as they meet established deadlines.
Synchronous courses require students to log on to the course delivery system on certain days at established times, just like they were attending an on-campus course. Colleges often deliver synchronous online courses on weekends and in the evenings to accommodate students with 9-to-5 work schedules. This delivery method is also good for learners who prefer the structure of scheduled classes and real-time interactions during live class discussions.
Common Courses
Specifics vary by program, but curriculums for online philosophy degrees often include courses on topics such as logic, ethics, social and political philosophy, and philosophical ideas from various time periods.
Forbes Advisor staff editor Kara Coleman Fields also contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Philosophy Degrees
Can I get a philosophy degree online?
Yes, you can earn a philosophy degree online from several U.S.-based colleges, including the 10 programs we’ve highlighted here. Many schools offer fully online or hybrid philosophy bachelor’s programs. Some universities also let distance learners pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in philosophy concurrently.
How valuable is a philosophy degree?
Value is subjective, so the worth of a philosophy degree depends on what you’re hoping to get from the experience. However, a philosophy degree can help you gain skills that can transfer to various fields with well-paying jobs.
What’s the difference between a B.A. and a B.S. in philosophy?
While B.A. and B.S. degrees in philosophy typically have the same core major requirements, they differ in other course requirements and electives. Students pursuing a B.A. may have to meet foreign language requirements, for example, while those earning a B.S. take more math and science courses. Among the best online philosophy degrees, Oregon State University, the University of Tennessee at Martin and Portland State University allow philosophy majors to choose between a B.A. and a B.S. pathway.