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Best Philosophy Programs 2026
Top philosophy programs ranked by salary. Philosophy grads often shine in law and business — see which schools prove it.
7 programs ranked
$30,524 avg salary
6 public schools
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| Rank | Program | School | State | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Value Score | Break-Even |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philosophy | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | NC | $36,042 | $12,983/yr | 71/100 | 9.4 yr |
| 2 | Philosophy | University of Wisconsin-Madison | WI | $35,717 | $16,928/yr | 65/100 | 13.1 yr |
| 3 | Philosophy | The University of Texas at Austin | TX | $33,184 | $19,678/yr | 46/100 | 27.1 yr |
| 4 | Philosophy | Ohio State University-Main Campus | OH | $30,105 | $18,292/yr | 44/100 | 766.2 yr |
| 5 | Philosophy | University of Chicago | IL | $28,698 | $18,967/yr | 41/100 | N/A |
| 6 | Philosophy | University of Florida | FL | $25,985 | $6,351/yr | 54/100 | N/A |
| 7 | Philosophy | University of California-Berkeley | CA | $23,934 | $13,481/yr | 48/100 | N/A |
1
Philosophy
71/100PublicUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
$36,042 median salary$12,983/yr net cost9.4 yr break-even+20% vs. HS diploma
2
Philosophy
65/100PublicUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI
$35,717 median salary$16,928/yr net cost13.1 yr break-even+19% vs. HS diploma
3
Philosophy
46/100PublicThe University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX
$33,184 median salary$19,678/yr net cost27.1 yr break-even+11% vs. HS diploma
4
Philosophy
44/100PublicOhio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH
$30,105 median salary$18,292/yr net cost766.2 yr break-even+0% vs. HS diploma
5
Philosophy
41/100University of Chicago · Chicago, IL
$28,698 median salary$18,967/yr net cost+-4% vs. HS diploma
6
Philosophy
54/100PublicUniversity of Florida · Gainesville, FL
$25,985 median salary$6,351/yr net cost+-13% vs. HS diploma
7
Philosophy
48/100PublicUniversity of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA
$23,934 median salary$13,481/yr net cost+-20% vs. HS diploma
Compare Schools Side by Side
See how different philosophy programs stack up on cost, salary, and graduation rates.
Rankings are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Programs are ranked by median earnings 1 year after completion. Data reflects bachelor's degree programs only.