What is the starting salary for Philosophy graduates in Madison?

The estimated starting salary for Philosophy graduates in Madison, WI is $39,160 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 89. The national average starting salary for this major is $44,000. Salaries in Madison are 11% lower than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Philosophy degree worth it in Madison?

A Philosophy degree in Madison has an estimated ROI payback period of 11.3 years, with a projected lifetime return of $176,332 after subtracting education costs. With 11 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $10,725/year, Madison offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 5.7% and the major's national unemployment rate of 4.5% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Philosophy in Madison?

The average annual public university tuition in Madison is $10,725, while private universities average $33,350/year. Including room and board ($11,942/year), total 4-year costs range from $90,668 at a public school to $181,168 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Madison is $15,815/year.

What jobs can Philosophy graduates get in Madison?

Philosophy graduates in Madison can pursue careers as Attorney, Ethics Consultant, Policy Analyst, Professor. Key skills valued by local employers include Logic, Ethics, Critical Reasoning, Argumentation. The Madison job market features Publishing, Non-profits, Education among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include Law Firms, Tech Companies, Non-Profits.

How long to pay off student loans for Philosophy in Madison?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Philosophy graduates in Madison would pay $1,030/month on an estimated $90,668 in loans, with $32,874 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,774/month but save $17,101 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $39,160, monthly payments would represent 32% of gross monthly income.

Philosophy Degree in Madison, WI — Salary & ROI 2026

Philosophy degree analysis for Madison, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$39K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$62K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

11.3 yrs

in Madison

Cost of Living

index (100 = avg)

Philosophy in Madison, WI Overview

Madison, Wisconsin (pop. 269,840) has 11 colleges offering Philosophy programs. The local cost of living index of 89 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $902/month. Although national enrollment in Philosophy has been declining, graduates with skills in Logic and Ethics remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Madison is approximately $39,160, growing to $62,300 by mid-career.

Philosophy Salary in Madison (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Madison's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$39,160($-4,840 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$62,300($-7,700 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$80,100($-9,900 vs national)

Note: National average Philosophy salary: $44,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Madison adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.

Philosophy ROI Calculator for Madison

Estimate your return on investment for a Philosophy degree using local Madison tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $10,725 | Private avg: $33,350

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Madison avg aid: $15,815/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$90,668

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$8,010

vs HS diploma in Madison

ROI Payback Period

11.3 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Madison

$176,332

Lifetime earnings premium ($267,000) minus total education cost ($90,668)

Student Loan Payoff for Philosophy in Madison

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$90,668

Monthly Payment$1,030

Total Interest$32,874

% of Monthly Income32%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$90,668

Monthly Payment$1,774

Total Interest$15,773

Interest Savings$17,101

Colleges in Madison for Philosophy

University of Wisconsin-Madison

public

$10,725/yr

$42,900 total

Edgewood College

private

$33,350/yr

$133,400 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Madison Area Technical College

$4,632/yr

Top Employers for Philosophy in Madison

Madison offers opportunities in Publishing, Non-profits, Education for Philosophy graduates. National top employers in this field include:

Law FirmsTech CompaniesNon-ProfitsConsulting FirmsGovernment

Key Madison Hiring Sectors for Humanities

Publishing

Non-profits

Education

Media companies

Government

Common Philosophy Job Titles

AttorneyEthics ConsultantPolicy AnalystProfessor

Philosophy in Nearby Wisconsin Cities

Milwaukee, WI

$41K starting · COL 94

33 colleges

Green Bay, WI

$38K starting · COL 86

6 colleges

Kenosha, WI

$47K starting · COL 106

8 colleges

Racine, WI

$38K starting · COL 85.8

4 colleges

Appleton, WI

$35K starting · COL 79

6 colleges

Waukesha, WI

$40K starting · COL 90.5

3 colleges

Eau Claire, WI

$38K starting · COL 86

2 colleges

Oshkosh, WI

$47K starting · COL 107

3 colleges

Other Humanities Majors in Madison

Chinese Studies

$49K starting · 4 yr ROI

Linguistics

$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI

Foreign Languages & Literatures

$45K starting · 6.5 yr ROI

English

$37K starting · 7 yr ROI

History

$39K starting · 7.5 yr ROI

Classical Studies

$40K starting · 6 yr ROI

Classics

$45K starting · 8 yr ROI

Africana Studies

$37K starting · 5 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Philosophy degree outcomes in Madison, WI: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.

Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Philosophy programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Wisconsin.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Madison using regional CPI data.
10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
Job market outlook for Philosophy graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.

Authoritative US education data sources:

IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Philosophy career projections
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Philosophy grads

Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release

Financial Aid Resources for Madison Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Wisconsin students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Wisconsin)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Wisconsin programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "wisconsin higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:

2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.

Philosophy Degree in Madison — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Philosophy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Madison.

Philosophy Overview Colleges in Madison All Majors