Philosophy

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$38,577

Median Earnings

$56,885

Schools Offering

103

ROI Grade

C+

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $49,909Median: $56,88575th: $64,402

Best Schools for Philosophy by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	University of Pennsylvania PA · Private	97	$107,454	$28,699	$18,500	B+
2	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo CA · Public	96	$98,592	$16,665	N/A	-
3	Boston College MA · Private	92	$97,519	$41,704	$18,000	B
4	CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice NY · Public	78	$78,041	$3,203	N/A	-
5	William & Mary VA · Public	91	$75,423	$19,096	$16,750	A
6	Fordham University NY · Private	79	$74,507	$44,338	$22,999	B+
7	University of California-Santa Barbara CA · Public	90	$71,796	$16,109	$15,000	C
8	The University of Texas at Austin TX · Public	90	$71,790	$19,857	$18,676	C+
9	University of Chicago IL · Private	98	$71,709	$14,860	$22,641	B+
10	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill NC · Public	94	$70,709	$11,655	$15,408	B
11	Seton Hall University NJ · Private	73	$70,628	$31,446	$19,250	B+
12	University of Massachusetts-Lowell MA · Public	76	$68,629	$17,163	N/A	-
13	Boston University MA · Private	90	$68,026	$24,402	$25,750	C
14	CUNY Brooklyn College NY · Public	81	$67,948	$3,103	$14,125	C+
15	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor MI · Public	95	$67,293	$13,138	$21,510	C
16	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus PA · Public	62	$65,675	$32,875	$23,878	F
17	Pennsylvania State University-World Campus PA · Public	63	$65,675	$19,550	$23,878	F
18	California State University-Sacramento CA · Public	83	$65,115	$9,338	$15,034	C+
19	George Washington University DC · Private	88	$64,898	$36,586	N/A	-
20	University of Maryland-College Park MD · Public	94	$64,846	$15,678	$20,164	C
21	Virginia Commonwealth University VA · Public	55	$64,402	$23,433	$21,500	D
22	American Public University System WV · Private	50	$64,098	$9,597	$22,862	B
23	University of Scranton PA · Private	75	$63,410	$32,568	$27,000	D
24	University of California-Berkeley CA · Public	97	$63,326	$13,481	$14,475	B
25	University of California-Los Angeles CA · Public	96	$61,754	$12,548	$15,000	C+
26	University of Washington-Seattle Campus WA · Public	94	$61,595	$14,091	$13,500	B+
27	University of Washington-Bothell Campus WA · Public	91	$61,595	$12,319	$13,500	B+
28	University of Wisconsin-Madison WI · Public	91	$61,186	$17,354	$24,216	C
29	Loyola University Chicago IL · Private	69	$60,571	$36,079	$25,530	B
30	Georgia State University GA · Public	41	$60,009	$15,931	$27,000	C+
31	Arizona State University Campus Immersion AZ · Public	77	$59,935	$14,967	$26,250	C
32	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus OK · Public	70	$59,640	$17,447	N/A	-
33	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee WI · Public	59	$59,370	$15,014	$25,500	D
34	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville TN · Public	73	$59,329	$18,976	$25,000	B
35	Rutgers University-Camden NJ · Public	84	$58,891	$18,745	$25,000	C
36	Rutgers University-New Brunswick NJ · Public	83	$58,891	$24,406	$25,000	C
37	Rutgers University-Newark NJ · Public	82	$58,891	$19,703	$25,000	C
38	University of Oregon OR · Public	68	$58,635	$22,182	$26,000	D
39	University of California-Davis CA · Public	95	$58,633	$14,741	$13,200	B
40	North Carolina State University at Raleigh NC · Public	87	$58,285	$17,303	$24,135	B
41	West Virginia University WV · Public	64	$57,041	$15,634	N/A	-
42	Columbia University in the City of New York NY · Private	96	$56,885	$21,590	$20,062	B
43	University of Minnesota-Duluth MN · Public	74	$56,812	$18,743	N/A	-
44	University of Iowa IA · Public	76	$56,786	$22,531	$26,260	C+
45	University of Houston TX · Public	80	$55,875	$14,276	$23,650	B
46	Ohio State University-Main Campus OH · Public	77	$55,823	$17,339	$26,247	C
47	University of Arizona AZ · Public	75	$55,804	$16,674	$21,250	C
48	University of Massachusetts-Boston MA · Public	67	$54,868	$17,707	N/A	-
49	Texas A&M University-College Station TX · Public	89	$54,822	$21,315	$19,000	C
50	San Diego State University CA · Public	84	$53,390	$15,364	$27,000	D

Below Average Value

Is Philosophy Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

The financial returns for Philosophy are below average. At $38,577 in average earnings four years out, graduates often face a long payback period, especially at higher-cost institutions. This doesn't mean the field is worthless - it means the financial math demands careful attention to school cost and debt levels.

103 schools offer this major, giving you reasonable options. Compare net prices and graduate earnings at your specific target schools - the range between the best and worst ROI within this field is substantial.

The top school for this major by earnings is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, where graduates earn $98,592 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Philosophy All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Philosophy

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

Best Schools for Philosophy by Earnings

Is Philosophy Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

Related Reading