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.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #81 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | Ithaca, NY | $37,208 Median Philosophy Earnings | $4,079 | 8.2% | 95.1% |
| #82 | Gardner-Webb UniversityPrivate | Boiling Springs, NC | $37,084 Median Philosophy Earnings | $21,744 | 87.0% | 61.7% |
| #83 | Cullowhee, NC | $36,840 Median Philosophy Earnings | $8,571 | 86.7% | 59.1% | |
| #84 | Texas State UniversityPublic | San Marcos, TX | $36,701 Median Philosophy Earnings | $12,144 | 89.5% | 56.2% |
| #85 | Colorado Springs, CO | $36,436 Median Philosophy Earnings | $11,562 | 96.6% | 45.3% | |
| #86 | Sacramento, CA | $36,325 Median Philosophy Earnings | $7,306 | 93.6% | 55.8% | |
| #87 | Denver, CO | $36,307 Median Philosophy Earnings | $16,135 | 77.8% | 47.4% | |
| #88 | Denton, TX | $36,141 Median Philosophy Earnings | $10,816 | 72.5% | 59.6% | |
| #89 | Knoxville, TN | $36,051 Median Philosophy Earnings | $9,397 | 46.0% | 73.5% | |
| #90 | Bellingham, WA | $35,881 Median Philosophy Earnings | $11,416 | 91.3% | 65.5% | |
| #91 | University Of ToledoPublic | Toledo, OH | $35,733 Median Philosophy Earnings | $12,763 | 94.8% | 55.6% |
| #92 | Milwaukee, WI | $35,677 Median Philosophy Earnings | $10,860 | 88.4% | 51.2% | |
| #93 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | Syracuse, NY | $35,602 Median Philosophy Earnings | $21,505 | 41.7% | 81.3% |
| #94 | James Madison UniversityPublic | Harrisonburg, VA | $35,600 Median Philosophy Earnings | $10,582 | 76.3% | 80.9% |
| #95 | Orlando, FL | $35,179 Median Philosophy Earnings | $6,170 | 39.5% | 75.1% | |
| #96 | Davis, CA | $34,146 Median Philosophy Earnings | $8,594 | 41.6% | 85.1% | |
| #97 | William & MaryPublic | Williamsburg, VA | $33,993 Median Philosophy Earnings | $6,616 | 32.7% | 91.0% |
| #98 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $33,993 Median Philosophy Earnings | $18,592 | 75.8% | 73.7% | |
| #99 | Furman UniversityPrivate | Greenville, SC | $33,993 Median Philosophy Earnings | $16,190 | 52.6% | 81.5% |
| #100 | University Of Puget SoundPrivate | Tacoma, WA | $33,573 Median Philosophy Earnings | $28,409 | 76.3% | 67.9% |
