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Best graduate programs in philosophy in the English-speaking world, by the Philosophical Gourmet Report

The Philosophical Gourmet Report is a ranking of graduate programs in philosophy in the English-speaking world. It is edited by Brian Leiter, professor at University of Chicago, and Berit Brogaard, professor at University of Miami.

“The rankings are primarily measures of faculty quality and reputation,” they explain. The overall rankings of 2014-2015 “are based on reputational surveys completed by nearly 200 philosophers throughout the English-speaking world and Continental Europe; 230 philosophers participated in either the overall or speciality rankings, often both.”

The overall rankings are listed below. The report also includes a breakdown of programs by specialties.


Ranking of top 50 faculties in the English-speaking world

1. New York University

Region: USA
Mean: 4.8
Median: 5

2. Oxford University

Region: UK
Mean: 4.6
Median: 4.5

3. Princeton University

Region: USA
Mean: 4.4
Median: 4.5

3. Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Region: USA
Mean: 4.4
Median: 4.5

5. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Region: USA
Mean: 4.2
Median: 4

6. Yale University

Region: USA
Mean: 4.1
Median: 4

7. Harvard University

Region: USA
Mean: 4
Median: 4

7. University of Pittsburgh

Region: USA
Mean: 4
Median: 4

9. Stanford University

Region: USA
Mean: 3.9
Median: 4

9. University of Southern California

Region: USA
Mean: 3.9
Median: 4

11. Columbia University (incl. Barnard)

Region: USA
Mean: 3.8
Median: 4

11. University of California, Berkeley

Region: USA
Mean: 3.8
Median: 4

11. University of California, Los Angeles

Region: USA
Mean: 3.8
Median: 4

11. University of Toronto

Region: Canada
Mean: 3.8
Median: 4

15. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Region: USA
Mean: 3.7
Median: 4

15. University of Arizona

Region: USA
Mean: 3.7
Median: 3.5

15. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Region: USA
Mean: 3.7
Median: 4

18. City University of New York Graduate Center

Region: USA
Mean: 3.6
Median: 3.5

19. Cambridge University

Region: UK
Mean: 3.5
Median: 3.5

19. Cornell University

Region: USA
Mean: 3.5
Median: 3.5

19. University of Notre Dame

Region: USA
Mean: 3.5
Median: 3.5

19. University of Texas, Austin

Region: USA
Mean: 3.5
Median: 3.5

23. Brown University

Region: USA
Mean: 3.4
Median: 3.5

24. Australian National University

Region: Australasia
Mean: 3.3
Median: 3.5

24. University of Chicago

Region: USA
Mean: 3.3
Median: 3.5

24. University of Wisconsin, Madison

Region: USA
Mean: 3.3
Median: 3.5

27. University of California, San Diego

Region: USA
Mean: 3.2
Median: 3

27. University of St Andrews/University of Stirling Joint Program

Region: UK
Mean: 3.2
Median: 3

29. Duke University

Region: USA
Mean: 3
Median: 3

29. Indiana University, Bloomington

Region: USA
Mean: 3
Median: 3

29. University of California, Irvine

Region: USA
Mean: 3
Median: 3

29. University of Edinburgh

Region: UK
Mean: 3
Median: 3

29. Washington University, St. Louis

Region: USA
Mean: 3
Median: 3

34. King’s College, London

Region: UK
Mean: 2.9
Median: 3

34. Ohio State University

Region: USA
Mean: 2.9
Median: 3

34. University of California, Riverside

Region: USA
Mean: 2.9
Median: 3

34. University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Region: USA
Mean: 2.9
Median: 3

38. London School of Economics

Region: UK
Mean: 2.8
Median: 3

38. Northwestern University

Region: USA
Mean: 2.8
Median: 3

38. University College London

Region: UK
Mean: 2.8
Median: 3

38. University of Colorado, Boulder

Region: USA
Mean: 2.8
Median: 3

38. University of Maryland, College Park

Region: USA
Mean: 2.8
Median: 3

38. University of Miami

Region: USA
Mean: 2.8
Median: 3

38. University of Pennsylvania

Region: USA
Mean: 2.8
Median: 3

38. University of Sydney

Region: Australasia
Mean: 2.8
Median: 3

38. University of Virginia

Region: USA
Mean: 2.8
Median: 3

47. Georgetown University

Region: USA
Mean: 2.7
Median: 3

47. Syracuse University

Region: USA
Mean: 2.7
Median: 2.5

47. University of Birmingham

Region: UK
Mean: 2.7
Median: 3

47. University of British Columbia

Region: Canada
Mean: 2.7
Median: 3

47. University of Connecticut, Storrs

Region: USA
Mean: 2.7
Median: 2.5

47. University of Leeds

Region: UK
Mean: 2.7
Median: 2.5

47. University of Western Ontario

Region: Canada
Mean: 2.7
Median: 3

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Ranking of faculties in the United States

1. New York University

Mean: 4.8
Median: 5
Mode: 5
2011 Rank: 1
2009 Rank: 1
2006 Rank: 1

2. Princeton University

Mean: 4.4
Median: 4.5
Mode: 4.5
2011 Rank: 3
2009 Rank: 2
2006 Rank: 2

2. Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Mean: 4.4
Median: 4.5
Mode: 5
2011 Rank: 2
2009 Rank: 2
2006 Rank: 2

4. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Mean: 4.2
Median: 4
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 4
2009 Rank: 5
2006 Rank: 3

5. Yale University

Mean: 4.1
Median: 4
Mode: 4.0 ,4.5
2011 Rank: 7
2009 Rank: 8
2006 Rank: 16

6. Harvard University

Mean: 4
Median: 4
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 5
2009 Rank: 6
2006 Rank: 7

6. University of Pittsburgh

Mean: 4
Median: 4
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 5
2009 Rank: 4
2006 Rank: 5

8. Stanford University

Mean: 3.9
Median: 4
Mode: 3.5, 4.0
2011 Rank: 9
2009 Rank: 9
2006 Rank: 6

8. University of Southern California

Mean: 3.9
Median: 4
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 11
2009 Rank: 17
2006 Rank: 16

10. Columbia University (incl. Barnard)

Mean: 3.8
Median: 4
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 11
2009 Rank: 13
2006 Rank: 9

10. University of California, Berkeley

Mean: 3.8
Median: 4
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 14
2009 Rank: 9
2006 Rank: 12

10. University of California, Los Angeles

Mean: 3.8
Median: 4
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 11
2009 Rank: 9
2006 Rank: 7

13. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mean: 3.7
Median: 4
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 7
2009 Rank: 6
2006 Rank: 7

13. University of Arizona

Mean: 3.7
Median: 3.5
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 14
2009 Rank: 13
2006 Rank: 13

13. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Mean: 3.7
Median: 4
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 9
2009 Rank: 9
2006 Rank: 10

16. City University of New York Graduate Center

Mean: 3.6
Median: 3.5
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 14
2009 Rank: 15
2006 Rank: 23

17. Cornell University

Mean: 3.5
Median: 3.5
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 14
2009 Rank: 17
2006 Rank: 16

17. University of Notre Dame

Mean: 3.5
Median: 3.5
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 18
2009 Rank: 15
2006 Rank: 13

17. University of Texas, Austin

Mean: 3.5
Median: 3.5
Mode: 3.5
2011 Rank: 20
2009 Rank: 20
2006 Rank: 13

20. Brown University

Mean: 3.4
Median: 3.5
Mode: 3.5
2011 Rank: 19
2009 Rank: 17
2006 Rank: 16

21. University of Chicago

Mean: 3.3
Median: 3.5
Mode: 3.5
2011 Rank: 20
2009 Rank: 21
2006 Rank: 20

21. University of Wisconsin, Madison

Mean: 3.3
Median: 3.5
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 22
2009 Rank: 23
2006 Rank: 24

23. University of California, San Diego

Mean: 3.2
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 22
2009 Rank: 21
2006 Rank: 20

24. Duke University

Mean: 3
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 24
2009 Rank: 26
2006 Rank: 27

24. Indiana University, Bloomington

Mean: 3
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 24
2009 Rank: 23
2006 Rank: 27

24. University of California, Irvine

Mean: 3
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 29
2009 Rank: 23
2006 Rank: 20

24. Washington University, St. Louis

Mean: 3
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 31
2009 Rank: 30
2006 Rank: 39

28. Ohio State University

Mean: 2.9
Median: 3
Mode: 2.5
2011 Rank: 24
2009 Rank: 26
2006 Rank: 26

28. University of California, Riverside

Mean: 2.9
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 31
2009 Rank: 30
2006 Rank: 31

28. University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Mean: 2.9
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 24
2009 Rank: 26
2006 Rank: 24

31. Northwestern University

Mean: 2.8
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 31
2009 Rank: 41
2006 Rank: 53

31. University of Colorado, Boulder

Mean: 2.8
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 24
2009 Rank: 26
2006 Rank: 26

31. University of Maryland, College Park

Mean: 2.8
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 31
2009 Rank: 30
2006 Rank: 27

31. University of Miami

Mean: 2.8
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 31
2009 Rank: 34
2006 Rank: 32

31. University of Pennsylvania

Mean: 2.8
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 29
2009 Rank: 30
2006 Rank: 27

31. University of Virginia

Mean: 2.8
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 37
2009 Rank: 36
2006 Rank: 39

37. Georgetown University

Mean: 2.7
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 36
2009 Rank: 36
2006 Rank: 39

37. Syracuse University

Mean: 2.7
Median: 2.5
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 37
2009 Rank: 34
2006 Rank: 32

37. University of Connecticut, Storrs

Mean: 2.7
Median: 2.5
Mode: 2.5
2011 Rank: 50
2009 Rank: 43
2006 Rank: 48

40. Carnegie-Mellon University

Mean: 2.6
Median: 2.5
Mode: 2.5
2011 Rank: 40
2009 Rank: 36
2006 Rank: 39

40. Johns Hopkins University

Mean: 2.6
Median: 2.5
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 37
2009 Rank: 43
2006 Rank: 35

42. University of California, Davis

Mean: 2.4
Median: 2.5
Mode: 2.5
2011 Rank: 44
2009 Rank: 36
2006 Rank: 35

42. University of California, Santa Barbara

Mean: 2.4
Median: 2.5
Mode: 2
2011 Rank: 40
2009 Rank: 41
2006 Rank: 39

42. University of Illinois, Chicago

Mean: 2.4
Median: 2.5
Mode: 2.5
2011 Rank: 40
2009 Rank: 36
2006 Rank: 35

45. Florida State University

Mean: 2.3
Median: 2.5
Mode: 2.5
2011 Rank: 44
2009 Rank: 43
2006 Rank: 44

45. University of Rochester

Mean: 2.3
Median: 2
Mode: 2
2011 Rank: 44
2009 Rank: 48
2006 Rank: 44

47. Rice University

Mean: 2.2
Median: 2
Mode: 2
2011 Rank: 44
2009 Rank: 48
2006 Rank: 50

47. Saint Louis University

Mean: 2.2
Median: 2
Mode: 2
2011 Rank: n/a
2009 Rank: 54
2006 Rank: not in top 50

47. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis-St. Paul

Mean: 2.2
Median: 2
Mode: 2
2011 Rank: 44
2009 Rank: 47
2006 Rank: 44

47. University of Missouri, Columbia

Mean: 2.2
Median: 2
Mode: 2
2011 Rank: 50
2009 Rank: 48
2006 Rank: 53

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Ranking of faculties in the United Kingdom

1. Oxford University

Mean: 4.6
Median: 4.5
Mode: 5
2011 Rank: 1
2009 Rank: 1
2006 Rank: 1

2. Cambridge University

Mean: 3.5
Median: 3.5
Mode: 3.5
2011 Rank: 2
2009 Rank: 3
2006 Rank: 3

3. University of St. Andrews/University of Stirling Joint Program

Mean: 3.2
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 3
2009 Rank: 2
2006 Rank: 2

4. University of Edinburgh

Mean: 3
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 8
2009 Rank: 12
2006 Rank: 9

5. King’s College, London

Mean: 2.9
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 4
2009 Rank: 5
2006 Rank: 6

6. London School of Economics

Mean: 2.8
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 11
2009 Rank: 8
2006 Rank: 8

6. University College London

Mean: 2.8
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 4
2009 Rank: 4
2006 Rank: 4

8. University of Birmingham

Mean: 2.7
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: not in top 15
2009 Rank: not in top 15
2006 Rank: not in top 15

8. University of Leeds

Mean: 2.7
Median: 2.5
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 6
2009 Rank: 12
2006 Rank: 9

10. University of Bristol

Mean: 2.6
Median: 2.5
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 13
2009 Rank: 12
2006 Rank: 9

10. University of Sheffield

Mean: 2.6
Median: 2.75
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 9
2009 Rank: 7
2006 Rank: 6

12. University of Warwick

Mean: 2.4
Median: 2.5
Mode: 2.5, 3.0
2011 Rank: 11
2009 Rank: 9
2006 Rank: 14

13. Birkbeck College, University of London

Mean: 2.3
Median: 2.5
Mode: 2.5
2011 Rank: 6
2009 Rank: 6
2006 Rank: 4

13. University of Reading

Mean: 2.3
Median: 2.5
Mode: 2
2011 Rank: 10
2009 Rank: 9
2006 Rank: 9

13. University of York

Mean: 2.3
Median: 2.5
Mode: 2.5
2011 Rank: 15
2009 Rank: 15
2006 Rank: 15

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Ranking of faculties in Canada

1. University of Toronto

Mean: 3.8
Median: 4
Mode: 4
2011 Rank: 1
2009 Rank: 1
2006 Rank: 1

2. University of British Columbia

Mean: 2.7
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 2
2009 Rank: 4
2006 Rank: 4

2. University of Western Ontario

Mean: 2.7
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 2
2009 Rank: 2
2006 Rank: 2

4. McGill University

Mean: 2.3
Median: 2.5
Mode: 2.5
2011 Rank: 2
2009 Rank: 3
2006 Rank: 3

5. University of Alberta

Mean: 2.1
Median: 2
Mode: 2.0, 2.5
2011 Rank: 5
2009 Rank: 5
2006 Rank: 5

5. University of Calgary

Mean: 2.1
Median: 2
Mode: 2.0, 2.5
2011 Rank: not in top 5
2009 Rank: not in top 5
2006 Rank: not in top 5

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Ranking of faculties in Australasia

1. Australian National University

Mean: 3.3
Median: 3.5
Mode: 3.5
2011 Rank: 1
2009 Rank: 1
2006 Rank: 1

2. University of Sydney

Mean: 2.8
Median: 3
Mode: 3
2011 Rank: 2
2009 Rank: 2
2006 Rank: 2

3. Monash University

Mean: 2.1
Median: 2
Mode: 2
2011 Rank: 4
2009 Rank: 3
2006 Rank: 4

3. University of Melbourne

Mean: 2.1
Median: 2
Mode: 2
2011 Rank: 4
2009 Rank: not in top 5
2006 Rank: 3

5. University of Auckland

Mean: 2
Median: 2
Mode: 2
2011 Rank: 3
2009 Rank: 4
2006 Rank: 4

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Source: The Philosophical Gourmet Report
Last checked on: 23 November 2015
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