by our College Data Analytics TeamPhilosophy was the 83rd most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 9,787 degrees in this year alone.
This year's Best Philosophy Schools ranking compares 101 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom philosophy rankings further below.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is a required skill for philosophy majors. Required skills include using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and talking to others to convey information effectively.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic philosophy program qualifications, to serve in some philosophy careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different philosophy degree levels. Philosophy programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest philosophy degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a philosophy degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to philosophy, with approximately 42.5% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to philosophy tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 42.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 29.2% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 16.4% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 8.0% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 1.8% |
Most workers in philosophy have at least a master's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in philosophy careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the philosophy career you are seeking.
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.
Want a job when you graduate with your philosophy degree? Philosophy careers are expected to grow 10.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to philosophy.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Science Professors | 66,600 | 9.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | 35,700 | 12.3% |
| Mathematicians | 4,000 | 29.0% |
Recently graduated philosophy students earned an average of $37,709 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $10,363 to as high as $123,153. As you might expect, salaries for philosophy graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for philosophy graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers philosophy grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Mathematicians | $104,870 |
| Mathematical Science Professors | $87,140 |
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | $82,420 |
With over 1,770 different philosophy degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased philosophy school rankings to help you with this.
Philosophy is one of 3 different types of Philosophy & Religious Studies programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Philosophy | 9,118 |
| Other Philosophy | 309 |
| Ethics | 182 |
| Applied & Professional Ethics | 156 |
| Logic | 22 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Religious Studies | 9,039 |
| Other Philosophy & Religious Studies | 219 |
| General Philosophy & Religious Studies | 186 |
