Philosophy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Philosophy is a rigorous academic discipline dedicated to exploring fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, and reality. It cultivates critical thinking and analytical precision by examining the assumptions, structures, and implications behind human thought and experience across diverse domains.
- Logic: The systematic study of valid reasoning and argumentation, focusing on identifying sound inference patterns and detecting fallacies in discourse.
- Ethics: The examination of moral principles and values, exploring questions about right and wrong, justice, responsibility, and the nature of a good life.
- Aesthetics: The philosophical investigation of art, beauty, taste, and sensory experience, analyzing what makes something valuable or meaningful in artistic and cultural contexts.
- Epistemology: The study of knowledge itself—its origins, nature, limits, and justification—addressing how we come to know what we claim to know.
- Metaphysics: The branch concerned with the fundamental nature of reality, including concepts such as being, time, causality, identity, and the relationship between mind and matter.
- Symbolism: The analysis of signs, symbols, and their role in conveying meaning, particularly in language, culture, and abstract thought systems.
- History of Philosophy: A chronological exploration of major thinkers, schools of thought, and intellectual developments from ancient to contemporary periods across global traditions.
- Interdisciplinary Applications: The integration of philosophical methods and insights into fields such as science, law, politics, technology, and the humanities to strengthen theoretical foundations and ethical frameworks.
Philosophy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Philosophy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Philosophy degrees, including Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 20,840 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1126 | $78,050 | $47,550 - $134,910 | 20,840 | N/A |
Salary Comparison
Philosophy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $40,340 in South Dakota to $103,210 in California—a 156% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Maine. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 20,840 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Philosophy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Philosophy programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Philosophy is found at University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (121 graduates), University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara (102 graduates), Boston College (BC) (102 graduates), University of California (UCB), Berkeley (96 graduates), and New York University (NYU) (86 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,120 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
121 | N/A | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
102 | N/A | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
102 |
SAT: 1430-1540 ACT: 33-34 |
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
96 | N/A | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
86 |
SAT: 1480-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
83 |
SAT: 1230-1420 ACT: 28-33 |
Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
83 |
SAT: 1490-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
78 |
SAT: 1510-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
78 | N/A | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
77 |
SAT: 1400-1520 ACT: 32-34 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
67 |
SAT: 1360-1510 ACT: 28-32 |
Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Bachelor's
|
65 | N/A | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Emory University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
63 |
SAT: 1460-1550 ACT: 32-34 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
62 | N/A | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
62 |
SAT: 1350-1530 ACT: 31-34 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
61 |
SAT: 1240-1420 ACT: 27-32 |
Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
58 |
SAT: 1230-1490 ACT: 27-33 |
Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
56 |
SAT: 1370-1530 ACT: 30-34 |
Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
55 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
54 |
SAT: 1240-1390 ACT: 27-31 |
Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
|
54 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 23-29 |
Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
54 |
SAT: 1270-1450 ACT: 29-33 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
53 | N/A | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
53 | N/A | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52 |
SAT: 1440-1540 ACT: 33-35 |
Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| Holy Apostles College and Seminary |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
48 | N/A | Cromwell, Connecticut | Private | holyapostles.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
47 | N/A | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
47 |
SAT: 1460-1550 ACT: 33-35 |
Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| The New School |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
47 | N/A | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| Franciscan University of Steubenville |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45 |
SAT: 1100-1290 ACT: 23-29 |
Steubenville, Ohio | Private | franciscan.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45 |
SAT: 1220-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Harvard University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
41 |
SAT: 1500-1580 ACT: 34-36 |
Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Cornell University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
41 |
SAT: 1480-1560 ACT: 33-35 |
Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
41 |
SAT: 1410-1530 ACT: 32-34 |
Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40 |
SAT: 1160-1340 ACT: 27-31 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 23-28 |
Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
37 |
SAT: 1160-1390 ACT: 25-32 |
Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
37 |
SAT: 1390-1510 ACT: 31-33 |
New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| Princeton University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
37 |
SAT: 1500-1580 ACT: 34-35 |
Princeton, New Jersey | Private | princeton.edu |
| Brown University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
37 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
37 |
SAT: 1510-1580 ACT: 34-35 |
Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
36 |
SAT: 1130-1360 ACT: 22-30 |
Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
35 | N/A | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
35 |
SAT: 1040-1280 ACT: 19-26 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
35 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of Scranton |
Bachelor's
|
35 |
SAT: 1150-1320 ACT: 25-30 |
Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | scranton.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
34 | N/A | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
34 |
SAT: 900-1160 ACT: 19-26 |
Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
33 |
SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 21-30 |
Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
33 | N/A | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
33 | N/A | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| Yale University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
33 |
SAT: 1500-1580 ACT: 33-35 |
New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
33 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 29-33 |
Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
32 | N/A | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
32 |
SAT: 1270-1510 ACT: 29-34 |
Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
32 |
SAT: 1310-1480 ACT: 27-31 |
Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | N/A | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
31 | N/A | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| Fordham University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
31 |
SAT: 1330-1490 ACT: 30-33 |
Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
31 |
SAT: 980-1190 ACT: 19-26 |
San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
31 |
SAT: 1190-1460 ACT: 27-34 |
West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Biola University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 |
SAT: 1130-1360 ACT: 24-30 |
La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
30 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 24-29 |
Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Bachelor's
|
30 |
SAT: 1223-1416 ACT: 25-30 |
Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Bachelor's
|
30 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 22-27 |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| William & Mary (W&M) |
Bachelor's
|
30 |
SAT: 1365-1510 ACT: 32-34 |
Williamsburg, Virginia | Public | wm.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
29 | N/A | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
29 |
SAT: 1130-1340 ACT: 26-31 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
|
29 |
SAT: 1050-1290 ACT: 21-27 |
Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
29 | N/A | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| Colgate University |
Bachelor's
|
28 |
SAT: 1430-1530 ACT: 33-34 |
Hamilton, New York | Private | colgate.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 |
SAT: 1320-1480 ACT: 30-34 |
Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) |
Bachelor's
|
27 |
SAT: 1020-1240 ACT: 21-28 |
Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | uccs.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
27 |
SAT: 1170-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
27 |
SAT: 1270-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 |
SAT: 1030-1270 ACT: 22-30 |
Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
26 | N/A | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
26 |
SAT: 1440-1550 ACT: 32-35 |
Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
|
26 |
SAT: 1190-1350 ACT: 25-29 |
Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Bachelor's
|
26 |
SAT: 1060-1250 ACT: 20-26 |
Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 24-29 |
Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 |
SAT: 1390-1530 ACT: 31-34 |
Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| California State University (CSUF) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | N/A | Fullerton, California | Public | fullerton.edu |
| Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | N/A | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | N/A | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
25 |
SAT: 1210-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
25 |
SAT: 1180-1398 ACT: 22-29 |
Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Marquette University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
25 |
SAT: 1190-1360 ACT: 26-31 |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
24 |
SAT: 1530-1580 ACT: 34-35 |
Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Bachelor's
|
24 |
SAT: 980-1230 ACT: 18-24 |
Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
24 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
24 |
SAT: 1260-1430 ACT: 28-32 |
Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Tiffin University (TU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
24 |
SAT: 870-1120 ACT: 15-22 |
Tiffin, Ohio | Private | tiffin.edu |
| University of Dallas (UD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
24 |
SAT: 1170-1370 ACT: 25-32 |
Irving, Texas | Private | udallas.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
24 |
SAT: 980-1230 ACT: 19-27 |
Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | N/A | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
23 |
SAT: 1210-1420 ACT: 29-33 |
Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
23 |
SAT: 1320-1490 ACT: 29-34 |
Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
23 |
SAT: 1330-1480 ACT: 29-32 |
Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
23 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Philosophy programs
How much can I earn with a Philosophy degree?
Salaries for Philosophy graduates vary by role and location. Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $78,050 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $103,210 compared to $40,340 in South Dakota. Approximately 20,840 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Philosophy programs?
Currently 755 accredited institutions offer Philosophy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (121 graduates), University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara (102 graduates), and Boston College (BC) (102 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Philosophy growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 10,529 in 2010 to a peak of 9,470 in 2020, before declining slightly to 8,253 in 2023-24. This represents a 22% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Philosophy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 20,840 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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