by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you interested in understanding and exploring education from a different perspective? A major in Educational Philosophy allows you to explore the social and cultural implications behind institutions of learning. This major relies heavily on an academic background in the humanities and the social sciences. You will get to explore the history and politics that go along with the current educational institution, as well as take a broad array of classes in the liberal arts.
The courses that you will be required to take will vary according to the college, but they could include: politics, the philosophy of education, history of education, educational literature, educational anthropology, policy studies, various history courses, various English courses, and studies of education in relation to population and social phenomena.
A degree in Education Philosophy involves the study of Social And Philosophical Foundations Of Education. Continue reading for the essential details every education philosophy student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering education philosophy programs.
Nationwide, education philosophy is a popular field of study, with 955 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Education Philosophy Schools ranking analyzes these 67 schools to determine the best overall colleges for education philosophy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of education philosophy programs later in this article.
Studies in Education Philosophy build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations education philosophy graduates commonly enter.
To be successful in this major you need to be a forward thinker with an open mind. Students will be encouraged to develop their critical thinking and complex reasoning skills. You should be interested how education has developed over the years and the philosophy that drives the development. It is important to have an inquisitive mindset and to be ready to question different historical and political movements. You will be exploring basic questions centered on the nature of teaching and the purpose of education; answers may not always be easily attained or concrete.
This major will rely heavily on the humanities, so it is important to have strong communication skills. This will include reading, writing, and speaking. Working well with others to discuss ideas and to flesh out new ways of thinking is essential. Items on your syllabus will range from Aristotle to the most recent educational methods of today. It is important to be able to manage your time and successfully complete individual assignments, and work well with others on group projects.
Skills built by a education philosophy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a education philosophy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several education philosophy degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 455 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 389 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 109 |
People currently working in careers related to education philosophy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 89.8% |
| Master’s degree | 9.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in education philosophy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
With your degree in educational philosophy you may get your teacher certification in order to work in school as a teacher or work your way up to administrative positions. You will have a broad background on teaching and the importance of teaching with passion. Many people in this field continue their education to receive a master's degree in educational philosophy. This will allow you to fully dive into educational policy and allow you for more advanced positions in your career field.
Studying education philosophy can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to education philosophy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to education philosophy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of education philosophy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47,147 |
| 4 years | $69,026 |
| 5 years | $75,081 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for education philosophy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers education philosophy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
With 67 different education philosophy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased education philosophy school rankings to help you.
Students interested in education philosophy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | 955 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
