by our College Data Analytics Team
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a philosophy degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying philosophy schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send philosophy graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Vanderbilt University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid philosophy graduates in the United States. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Philosophy graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $107,157 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in philosophy will find them at Fordham University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career philosophy graduates from Fordham University make a median of around $93,875 per year.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in philosophy, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University typically earn about $75,545 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Seton Hall University one of the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Philosophy graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of about $75,028 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in philosophy will find them at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $73,053 annually.
University Of Chicago placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Chicago typically earn about $72,246 annually.
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #7 spot for philosophy salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Philosophy graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of about $72,113 a year early in their careers.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #8 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career philosophy graduates from Loyola University Chicago make a median of around $67,470 per year.
University Of Notre Dame earned the #9 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame typically earn about $67,240 annually.
West Virginia University came in at #10 for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a public institution. Early-career philosophy graduates from West Virginia University make a median of around $64,560 per year.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #11 spot for philosophy salaries this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus typically earn about $63,572 annually.
Catholic University Of America came in at #12 for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Philosophy graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of about $62,337 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern California landed the #13 spot for philosophy salaries this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $95,023 annually.
Georgia State University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Georgia State University is a public school located in the city of Atlanta. Philosophy graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of about $60,232 a year early in their careers.
Baylor University landed the #15 spot for philosophy salaries this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,363.
Loyola Marymount University came in at #16 for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Early-career philosophy graduates from Loyola Marymount University make a median of around $58,354 per year.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #17 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota typically earn about $57,472 annually.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #18 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Philosophy graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of about $56,170 a year early in their careers.
New York University earned the #19 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,802.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #20 spot for philosophy salaries this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Philosophy graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $54,852 a year early in their careers.
Marquette University came in at #21 for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Marquette University typically earn about $53,208 annually.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #22 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor typically earn about $74,182 annually.
St Johns University New York placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for philosophy. St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. Early-career philosophy graduates from St Johns University New York make a median of around $52,256 per year.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #24 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. Early-career philosophy graduates from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis make a median of around $51,582 per year.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #25 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,522.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning philosophy graduates:
Explore the highest-paying philosophy schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries philosophy graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
