by our College Data Analytics TeamPhilosophy was the 86th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 9,487 degrees in this year alone. This is approximately the same as the 9,456 graduates the prior year.
This year's Best Philosophy Schools ranking compares 75 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of philosophy programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in philosophy is understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and talking to others to convey information effectively are all required skills for careers related to this major.
philosophy degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional philosophy certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of philosophy degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in philosophy to something that takes less time like a . Different philosophy degrees vary in how long they take.
| 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 73.8% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for philosophy workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 72.7% |
| Master’s Degree | 12.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 12.3% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 0.6% |
Most workers in philosophy have at least a doctor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in philosophy have received.
This of course varies depending on which philosophy career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your philosophy degree? Philosophy careers are expected to grow 12.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to philosophy.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | 35,700 | 12.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | $82,420 |
With over 1,661 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 4 different types of Philosophy programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Philosophy | 297 |
| Ethics | 150 |
| Applied & Professional Ethics | 98 |
| Logic | 22 |
