Philosophy programs produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $10,153 to $95,023—a spread that demonstrates how institutional selection dramatically impacts outcomes. Across 105 programs nationwide, Philosophy graduates earn a median of $40,226, with top-tier programs achieving earnings $12,874 higher than national averages for the major.
Leading the list is University Of Southern California, achieving the highest program earnings at $95,023. University of Pennsylvania follows closely with $90,761, while Vanderbilt University rounds out the top three at $81,508. These top-performing programs demonstrate how critical thinking and humanities education translate into strong median earnings when combined with institutional excellence.
Compare net price, debt, and earnings scenarios
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #181 | Houston, TX | $16,478 Median Philosophy Earnings | $13,486 | 90.6% | 33.8% | |
| #182 | Southern Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Central, SC | $16,169 Median Philosophy Earnings | $15,936 | 100.0% | 52.0% |
| #183 | Spring Valley, NY | $16,081 Median Philosophy Earnings | $4,324 | — | 53.0% | |
| #184 | Brooklyn, NY | $15,643 Median Philosophy Earnings | $18,440 | 88.5% | 2.8% | |
| #185 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | Athens, GA | $15,552 Median Philosophy Earnings | $7,897 | 37.2% | 87.2% |
| #186 | Suffern, NY | $12,961 Median Philosophy Earnings | — | 34.7% | — | |
| #187 | Brooklyn, NY | $10,153 Median Philosophy Earnings | $7,855 | — | 97.1% |
