HUMANITIES
+1.8%Liberal Arts
A broad foundation across writing, history, social science, and the arts — a flexible entry point into graduate school, business, or public service.
HUMANITIES
Philosophy & Religion
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Philosophy & Religion
Logic, ethics, and critical argument — philosophy majors score among the highest on law school entrance exams and excel in analytical careers. Graduates earn a national median of $54,455 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 1,277 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 19,301 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $29,861
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $54,455
- Colleges Offering
- 1,277
- Graduates / Year
- 19,301
- Specializations
- 4
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $25,224
Is a Philosophy & Religion Degree Right for You?
$54,455
Median earnings · 4yr
+3.7%
10yr job growth
4
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~4.1
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
At median 4-year earnings of $54,455 and an estimated $100,896 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 4.1 years. Compare your specific program carefully.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Philosophy & Religion Majors Earn?
Philosophy & Religion graduates start at a median $29,861 one year out and reach $54,455 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 1,277 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$29,861
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$54,455
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$53,127
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Philosophy & Religion specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $54,455/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $41,390/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$41,390
Lowest
$54,455
Median
$54,455
Highest
What Can You Do With a Philosophy & Religion Degree?
Career Paths for Philosophy & Religion Graduates
Philosophy & Religion connects to 4 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Natural Sciences Managers leads in median earnings at $167,220/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Natural Sciences Managers
Bachelor's degree
$167,220
↗ +3.7% growth
Cultural Studies Professors
Doctoral or professional degree
$85,020
↗ +2.4% growth
Philosophy and Religion Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$80,260
↗ +0.7% growth
Mathematical Science Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$79,940
↗ +2.3% growth
Philosophy & Religion Specializations
Philosophy & Religion spans 4 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $41,390 to $54,455 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Philosophy & Religion
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Philosophy & Religion graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
99%
Net price/yr
$29,357
Earnings 10yr
$44,813
Grad rate
34%
2
Yeshiva University
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
55.6%
Net price/yr
$49,965
Earnings 10yr
$71,353
Grad rate
49%
3
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
5.4%
Net price/yr
$28,699
Earnings 10yr
$111,371
Grad rate
84%
4
Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz
Brooklyn, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
87.4%
Net price/yr
$21,437
Earnings 10yr
$35,023
Grad rate
26%
5
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA · Public
Acceptance
33%
Net price/yr
$16,109
Earnings 10yr
$74,915
Grad rate
65%
6
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
4%
Net price/yr
$21,590
Earnings 10yr
$102,491
Grad rate
79%
7
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Acceptance
9%
Net price/yr
$12,548
Earnings 10yr
$82,511
Grad rate
82%
8
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
16.4%
Net price/yr
$41,704
Earnings 10yr
$103,937
Grad rate
93%
9
Nelson University
Waxahachie, TX · Nonprofit
Acceptance
89%
Net price/yr
$21,662
Earnings 10yr
$46,238
Grad rate
39%
10
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Acceptance
11%
Net price/yr
$13,481
Earnings 10yr
$92,446
Grad rate
74%
11
New York University
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
9.2%
Net price/yr
$37,050
Earnings 10yr
$82,509
Grad rate
76%
12
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
Acceptance
45.2%
Net price/yr
$17,354
Earnings 10yr
$73,792
Grad rate
75%
13
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA · Public
Acceptance
16.8%
Net price/yr
$21,565
Earnings 10yr
$86,863
Grad rate
90%
14
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
3.7%
Net price/yr
$19,066
Earnings 10yr
$101,817
Grad rate
87%
15
Emory University
Atlanta, GA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
10.7%
Net price/yr
$22,585
Earnings 10yr
$80,137
Grad rate
90%
16
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
9.8%
Net price/yr
$32,740
Earnings 10yr
$92,498
Grad rate
88%
17
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA · Public
Acceptance
39.2%
Net price/yr
$14,091
Earnings 10yr
$78,466
Grad rate
73%
18
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Public
Acceptance
41.8%
Net price/yr
$14,741
Earnings 10yr
$80,838
Grad rate
81%
19
Fordham University
Bronx, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
59.3%
Net price/yr
$44,338
Earnings 10yr
$85,569
Grad rate
78%
20
Boston University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
11.1%
Net price/yr
$24,402
Earnings 10yr
$83,238
Grad rate
81%
Ranked by number of Philosophy & Religion graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Philosophy & Religion Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Philosophy & Religion degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Philosophy & Religion degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Philosophy & Religion Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Philosophy & Religion tells a mixed story. Measurable strengths offset by real trade-offs. All 3 points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, and IPEDS graduate counts. No editorial opinion applied.
PROS
- Wide availability Offered at 1,277 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $29,861 at graduation to $54,455 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
- Modest median earnings Four-year median of $54,455 lags behind many STEM and business fields, which can affect ROI at higher-cost programs.
Philosophy & Religion Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Philosophy & Religion graduates earn?
Philosophy & Religion graduates earn a national median of $54,455 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Philosophy & Religion degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Philosophy & Religion degree holders is $29,861 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Philosophy & Religion degree?
Philosophy & Religion degree holders work in a range of careers. Natural Sciences Managers is one of the top roles by median wage ($167,220/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Philosophy & Religion?
1,277 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Philosophy & Religion, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Philosophy & Religion degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $54,455 and an average net price of roughly $25,224/yr across institutions offering this major, a Philosophy & Religion degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Philosophy & Religion degree?
A bachelor's degree in Philosophy & Religion typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Philosophy & Religion graduates?
Employers hiring Philosophy & Religion graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, research, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Philosophy & Religion graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Philosophy & Religion graduates is steady but slow, with an average of +2.3% projected growth across related occupations. Natural Sciences Managers is among the strongest-growth roles at +3.7%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
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