by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 65 U.S. colleges awarded 1,141 degrees and certificates in Education Philosophy. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 52% of graduates. College Factual ranks 19 schools in its 2027 Best Education Philosophy Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $47,147 one year after completing, rising to $67,097 after four years.
Are you interested in understanding and exploring education from a different perspective? A major in Educational Philosophy allows you to explore the social and cultural implications behind institutions of learning. This major relies heavily on an academic background in the humanities and the social sciences. You will get to explore the history and politics that go along with the current educational institution, as well as take a broad array of classes in the liberal arts.
The courses that you will be required to take will vary according to the college, but they could include: politics, the philosophy of education, history of education, educational literature, educational anthropology, policy studies, various history courses, various English courses, and studies of education in relation to population and social phenomena.
A degree in Education Philosophy involves the study of Social And Philosophical Foundations Of Education.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, education philosophy is a popular field of study, with 1,141 degrees awarded annually. 65 colleges award education philosophy degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 240.
By level, the 1,141 awards include 597 bachelor’s degrees, 429 master’s degrees and 115 doctorates.
Women earned 79% of education philosophy degrees and certificates in the latest year (902 of 1,141). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (375) and Hispanic or Latino (362), and international students earned 102.
College Factual ranks 19 schools in its 2027 Best Education Philosophy Schools ranking, including 6 for bachelor’s degrees, 11 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks education philosophy schools within 6 states. In all, 65 colleges offer education philosophy programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Education Philosophy Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common education philosophy credential is the bachelor’s degree: 597 of the 1,141 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to education philosophy call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Instructing, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Psychology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Speech Clarity and Oral Comprehension.
To be successful in this major you need to be a forward thinker with an open mind. Students will be encouraged to develop their critical thinking and complex reasoning skills. You should be interested how education has developed over the years and the philosophy that drives the development. It is important to have an inquisitive mindset and to be ready to question different historical and political movements. You will be exploring basic questions centered on the nature of teaching and the purpose of education; answers may not always be easily attained or concrete.
This major will rely heavily on the humanities, so it is important to have strong communication skills. This will include reading, writing, and speaking. Working well with others to discuss ideas and to flesh out new ways of thinking is essential. Items on your syllabus will range from Aristotle to the most recent educational methods of today. It is important to be able to manage your time and successfully complete individual assignments, and work well with others on group projects.
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How long an education philosophy degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 597 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 429 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 115 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to education philosophy, at 89.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 89.8% |
| Master’s degree | 9.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Education Philosophy, with an average median salary of $98,329; the strongest outlook belongs to Education Teachers, Postsecondary, at 2.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Education Instructor, Faculty Member, Education Faculty Member and Professor.
With your degree in educational philosophy you may get your teacher certification in order to work in school as a teacher or work your way up to administrative positions. You will have a broad background on teaching and the importance of teaching with passion. Many people in this field continue their education to receive a master's degree in educational philosophy. This will allow you to fully dive into educational policy and allow you for more advanced positions in your career field.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to education philosophy, at 1,441,246.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
Education Philosophy graduates earn a median $47,147 one year after completing their program, $67,097 after four years and $75,081 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47,147 |
| 4 years | $67,097 |
| 5 years | $75,081 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to education philosophy, with a median salary of $98,329.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
Education Philosophy includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education (1,141). It has 14 similar majors in the Education field, which together award 324,693 degrees a year; the largest are Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (108,824), Educational Administration and Supervision (44,746) and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (40,395). Browse all Education majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | 1,141 |
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