What is the starting salary for Philosophy graduates in Milwaukee?

The estimated starting salary for Philosophy graduates in Milwaukee, WI is $41,360 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 94. The national average starting salary for this major is $44,000. Salaries in Milwaukee are 6% lower than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Philosophy degree worth it in Milwaukee?

A Philosophy degree in Milwaukee has an estimated ROI payback period of 10 years, with a projected lifetime return of $197,504 after subtracting education costs. With 33 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $9,782/year, Milwaukee offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 4.7% 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 Milwaukee?

The average annual public university tuition in Milwaukee is $9,782, while private universities average $45,550/year. Including room and board ($11,342/year), total 4-year costs range from $84,496 at a public school to $227,568 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Milwaukee is $13,008/year.

What jobs can Philosophy graduates get in Milwaukee?

Philosophy graduates in Milwaukee can pursue careers as Attorney, Ethics Consultant, Policy Analyst, Professor. Key skills valued by local employers include Logic, Ethics, Critical Reasoning, Argumentation. The Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Philosophy graduates in Milwaukee would pay $959/month on an estimated $84,496 in loans, with $30,636 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,653/month but save $15,937 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $41,360, monthly payments would represent 28% of gross monthly income.

Philosophy Degree in Milwaukee, WI — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$41K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$66K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

10 yrs

in Milwaukee

Cost of Living

index (100 = avg)

Philosophy in Milwaukee, WI Overview

Milwaukee is one of Wisconsin's top college towns, with 33 institutions and a student population of 59,419. Public tuition averages $9,782/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Milwaukee is approximately $41,360, growing to $65,800 by mid-career.

Philosophy Salary in Milwaukee (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Milwaukee's cost of living index of 94 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$41,360($-2,640 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$65,800($-4,200 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$84,600($-5,400 vs national)

Note: National average Philosophy salary: $44,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Milwaukee adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.

Philosophy ROI Calculator for Milwaukee

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

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $9,782 | Private avg: $45,550

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Milwaukee avg aid: $13,008/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

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

Total Education Cost

$84,496

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$8,460

vs HS diploma in Milwaukee

ROI Payback Period

10 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Milwaukee

$197,504

Lifetime earnings premium ($282,000) minus total education cost ($84,496)

Student Loan Payoff for Philosophy in Milwaukee

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$84,496

Monthly Payment$959

Total Interest$30,636

% of Monthly Income28%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$84,496

Monthly Payment$1,653

Total Interest$14,700

Interest Savings$15,937

Colleges in Milwaukee for Philosophy

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

public

$9,782/yr

$39,128 total

Marquette University

private

$46,510/yr

$186,040 total

Milwaukee School of Engineering

private

$44,589/yr

$178,356 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Milwaukee Area Technical College

$4,620/yr

Top Employers for Philosophy in Milwaukee

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

Law FirmsTech CompaniesNon-ProfitsConsulting FirmsGovernment

Key Milwaukee Hiring Sectors for Humanities

Publishing

Non-profits

Education

Media companies

Government

Common Philosophy Job Titles

AttorneyEthics ConsultantPolicy AnalystProfessor

Philosophy in Nearby Wisconsin Cities

Madison, WI

$39K starting · COL 89

11 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 Milwaukee

Chinese Studies

$52K starting · 4 yr ROI

Linguistics

$47K starting · 5.5 yr ROI

Foreign Languages & Literatures

$47K starting · 6.5 yr ROI

English

$39K starting · 7 yr ROI

History

$41K starting · 7.5 yr ROI

Classical Studies

$42K starting · 6 yr ROI

Classics

$47K starting · 8 yr ROI

Africana Studies

$39K starting · 5 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Philosophy degree outcomes in Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee — 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 Milwaukee.

Philosophy Overview Colleges in Milwaukee All Majors