HUMANITIES Specialization

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics graduates pursue 5 occupations, with top roles paying $142,080/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.

About Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

This page covers Philosophy, Politics, and Economics as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Interdisciplinary Studies and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. You will not have trouble finding it: 16 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 153 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.


Colleges Offering
16
Graduates / Year
153
Avg Net Price / yr
$21,200

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 153 students who complete Philosophy, Politics, and Economics programs each year, the majority (99%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 99%
Associate's 1%

What Can You Do With a Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Philosophy, Politics, and Economics graduates show up in 5 different occupations, and Political Scientist pays the most at $142,080/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what a Political Scientist earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↘ -2.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$142,080
$114K $174K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 400 openings/yr 6K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Active Learning Speaking Active Listening Writing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

  • Teach political science.
  • Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
  • Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
↗ +4.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$124,720
$89K $175K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 1,100 openings/yr 18K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Mathematics Reading Comprehension Writing Critical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

  • Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
  • Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
  • Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
↗ +2.4% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$123,920
$87K $169K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 1,000 openings/yr 12K employed nationally
Speaking Instructing Writing Reading Comprehension Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as econometrics, price theory, and macroeconomics.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
↗ +2.5% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$98,070
$73K $129K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 1,500 openings/yr 17K employed nationally
Speaking Reading Comprehension Instructing Active Listening Writing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as classical political thought, international relations, and democracy and citizenship.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
↗ +2.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$80,260
$63K $105K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 1,800 openings/yr 20K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Instructing Speaking Active Listening Critical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students and the community on topics such as ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought.

Top Colleges for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Not sure where to study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics? These 11 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public 40 15.6% $13,138 $83,648
2 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public 36 86.1% $16,674 $59,979
3 Wabash College Crawfordsville, IN · Nonprofit 25 63.3% $24,336 $69,952
4 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ · Public 19 89.6% $14,158 $54,384
5 Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, OH · Public 12 81% $24,022 $47,896
6 Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI · Nonprofit 9 70.9% $22,992 $58,375
7 Criswell College Dallas, TX · Nonprofit 3 100% $21,630 $43,185
8 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit 2 99% $29,357 $44,813
9 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY · Public 2 74.2% $20,995 $70,814
10 Transylvania University Lexington, KY · Nonprofit 2 86.6% $21,913 $54,705
11 Juniata College Huntingdon, PA · Nonprofit 1 78.9% $23,988 $56,918

Ranked by Philosophy, Politics, and Economics graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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, Politics, and Economics program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Philosophy, Politics, and Economics shows 0 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

CONS
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
  • Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
  • Limited program availability Only 16 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

What jobs can you get with a Philosophy, Politics, and Economics degree?
Political Scientist is one path, and it pays a median of $142,080 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Philosophy, Politics, and Economics bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Philosophy, Politics, and Economics?
16 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
What is the difference between Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics is the narrower of the two: Interdisciplinary Studies covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Philosophy, Politics, and Economics graduates consistently look for writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
What is the job outlook for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics graduates?
Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average +1.9% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Economist is among the strongest-growth roles at +4.7%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.

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