by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Philosophy involves the study of Philosophy. Read on to learn the key facts every philosophy major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering philosophy programs.
Across the country, philosophy is a widely-pursued major, with 8,973 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Philosophy Schools ranking analyzes these 775 schools to determine the best overall colleges for philosophy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of philosophy programs later in this article.
Coursework for Philosophy develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations philosophy graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a philosophy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a philosophy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several 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 | 9 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 411 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,103 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,010 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 440 |
People currently working in careers related to philosophy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 62.1% |
| Master’s degree | 13.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.2% |
| Some college courses | 0.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in philosophy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
There are a variety of careers available to students who have a degree in Philosophy. These careers include law, copy writing, finance, religious leadership, marketing and sales, public relations, and work in the government. This degree gives you the skills to think logically and analyze situations making you an asset to many companies in a variety of industries. The job outlook for Philosophy graduates varies on the career they choose to go into. Some jobs may require additional training or certification.
Studying philosophy prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to philosophy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to philosophy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,031,835 | 3.7% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Mathematicians | 109,873 | 8.5% |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 96,977 | 14.0% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of philosophy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,242 |
| 4 years | $46,522 |
| 5 years | $56,339 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for philosophy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers philosophy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary | $71,584 |
| Mathematicians | $66,238 |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $40,564 |
With 775 different philosophy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased philosophy school rankings to help you.
Those considering philosophy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Philosophy | 8,253 |
| Philosophy, Other | 328 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics | 234 |
| Ethics | 147 |
| Logic | 11 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Religion/Religious Studies | 9,248 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other | 224 |
| PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES | 184 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
