Philosophy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Philosophy is a rigorous academic discipline dedicated to exploring fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, reality, and human thought. It equips students with critical reasoning, analytical precision, and the ability to engage deeply with complex ideas across diverse cultural and historical contexts.
- Metaphysics: Investigates the nature of reality, including concepts like being, time, space, causality, and the relationship between mind and matter.
- Epistemology: Examines the nature, sources, limits, and validity of knowledge and belief, probing what it means to know something and how we come to understand the world.
- Ethics: Explores principles of right and wrong conduct, moral values, and the foundations of ethical decision-making in personal, professional, and societal contexts.
- Logic: Studies the principles of valid reasoning and argumentation, focusing on structure, consistency, and the identification of fallacies in discourse.
- Philosophy of Mind: Addresses questions about consciousness, identity, perception, and the nature of mental states and their relationship to the physical brain.
- Political Philosophy: Analyzes concepts of justice, power, rights, authority, and the legitimacy of political institutions and social structures.
- Philosophy of Science: Evaluates the foundations, methods, and implications of scientific inquiry, including the nature of theories, explanation, and evidence.
- History of Philosophy: Traces the development of philosophical thought across major traditions, from ancient Greek and Eastern philosophies to modern and contemporary movements.
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 |
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 26 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 Pennsylvania (Penn) (167 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (66 graduates), Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) (12 graduates), College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) (9 graduates), and University of California (UCI), Irvine (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 328 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 Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
|
167 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
66 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | loyno.edu |
| College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Staten Island, New York | Public | csi.cuny.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
7 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Caribbean University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | caribbean.edu |
| Caribbean University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | caribbean.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Master's
|
5 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
| Lewis University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Romeoville, Illinois | Private | lewisu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Westminster College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Fulton, Missouri | Private | wcmo.edu |
| Ohio Northern University (ONU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Ada, Ohio | Private | onu.edu |
| Pacific University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Forest Grove, Oregon | Private | pacificu.edu |
| Randolph College (RC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | randolphcollege.edu |
| Carroll University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Waukesha, Wisconsin | Private | carrollu.edu |
| Spring Hill College (SHC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mobile, Alabama | Private | shc.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Master's
|
1 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Mercer University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Macon, Georgia | Private | mercer.edu |
| Butler University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| Arcadia University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Glenside, Pennsylvania | Private | arcadia.edu |
| York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | York, Pennsylvania | Private | ycp.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 26 accredited institutions offer Philosophy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Pennsylvania (Penn) (167 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (66 graduates), and Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) (12 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 increased over the past decade, rising from 142 in 2010 to 328 in 2023-24. This represents a 131% 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 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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