Applied Ethics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Applied Ethics is a rigorous academic discipline that examines moral challenges arising in professional environments and public life, equipping students with the analytical tools to navigate complex ethical dilemmas. This program emphasizes the practical implementation of ethical reasoning across diverse fields, fostering responsible decision-making in real-world contexts.
- Ethical theory: Explores foundational frameworks such as deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics to understand principles guiding right and wrong conduct.
- History of ethics: Traces the evolution of moral philosophy from classical traditions to modern interpretations, highlighting key thinkers and their enduring influence.
- Contemporary social dilemmas: Investigates pressing issues like digital privacy, social justice, and equity, analyzing ethical dimensions in current societal debates.
- Methods in applied ethics: Develops structured approaches to ethical analysis, including case studies, moral reasoning models, and stakeholder impact assessments.
- Medical ethics: Addresses ethical questions in healthcare, such as patient autonomy, end-of-life decisions, and access to treatment in clinical and research settings.
- Legal ethics: Examines professional responsibilities within the justice system, including attorney-client confidentiality, judicial impartiality, and due process.
- Business ethics: Focuses on integrity in corporate practices, corporate social responsibility, fair labor standards, and ethical leadership in global markets.
- Environmental ethics: Evaluates moral obligations toward nature, sustainability, climate change, and intergenerational justice in ecological policy and resource management.
- Criminal justice ethics: Analyzes ethical challenges in law enforcement, sentencing, incarceration, and rehabilitation, promoting fairness and accountability in the justice system.
Applied Ethics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Applied Ethics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Applied Ethics 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 |
Applied Ethics 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 Applied Ethics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 26 institutions offering Applied Ethics 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 Applied Ethics is found at University of Maryland (UMCP), College Park (60 graduates), Johnson University (JU) (29 graduates), St. Thomas University (STU) (23 graduates), New Mexico State University (NMSU), Main Campus (19 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) (17 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 234 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 | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
|
60 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| Johnson University (JU) |
Master's
|
29 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Private | johnsonu.edu |
| St. Thomas University (STU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Miami Gardens, Florida | Private | stu.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Other Award
|
17 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Other Award
|
14 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| University of Baltimore (UBalt) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ubalt.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Nazarene Bible College (NBC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Private | nbc.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Other Award
|
6 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
6 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
5 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umaryland.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
5 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Other Award
|
4 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary |
Master's
|
3 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | garrett.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Master's
|
3 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| North Central College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Naperville, Illinois | Private | northcentralcollege.edu |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey |
Other Award
|
2 | Wayne, New Jersey | Public | wpunj.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Methodist University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Private | methodist.edu |
| University of Akron |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Robert Morris University (RMU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | Private | rmu.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Platteville, Wisconsin | Public | uwplatt.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Applied Ethics programs
How much can I earn with a Applied Ethics degree?
Salaries for Applied Ethics 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 Applied Ethics programs?
Currently 26 accredited institutions offer Applied Ethics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Maryland (UMCP), College Park (60 graduates), Johnson University (JU) (29 graduates), and St. Thomas University (STU) (23 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 Applied Ethics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 40 in 2010 to 234 in 2023-24. This represents a 485% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Applied Ethics 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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