Philosophy Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, and ethics.
Starting Salary
$44K
median
Mid-Career
$70K
salary
ROI Payback
6.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Philosophy Overview
Study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, and ethics.
Category
Humanities
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
60%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
38%
Lifetime Premium
$300K
Female Graduates
38%
Philosophy Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$282,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($300,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Philosophy Salary Progression
Common Philosophy Careers
Attorney
Ethics Consultant
Policy Analyst
Professor
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Philosophy
#1
NYU
#2
Rutgers
#3
Princeton
#4
MIT
#5
University of Pittsburgh
Related Majors
Philosophy Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Philosophy Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for philosophy programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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