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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the early-career earnings of their philosophy graduates.
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Below are the schools whose philosophy graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 for philosophy graduate salaries in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Philosophy graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of about $72,246 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Wheaton College Illinois one of the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Early-career philosophy graduates from Wheaton College Illinois make a median of around $72,113 per year.
Loyola University Chicago produces some of the highest-paid graduates in philosophy, landing the #3 spot this year. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,470.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the highest-paying schools for philosophy. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,240.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Michigan University one of the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Eastern Michigan University is a public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University typically earn about $56,170 annually.
Marquette University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Philosophy graduates of Marquette University earn a median of about $53,208 a year early in their careers.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #7 for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,182.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #8 spot for philosophy salaries this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis typically earn about $51,582 annually.
Depaul University earned the #9 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career philosophy graduates from Depaul University make a median of around $51,321 per year.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school located in the city of Bloomington. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington typically earn about $47,637 annually.
Grand Valley State University earned the #11 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Grand Valley State University typically earn about $44,259 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #12 for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Philosophy graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $56,645 a year early in their careers.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for philosophy salaries this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus typically earn about $47,850 annually.
University Of Toledo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying philosophy schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a public institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,537.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #15 for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Early-career philosophy graduates from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee make a median of around $47,729 per year.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #16 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,165.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #17 spot for philosophy salaries this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point typically earn about $31,662 annually.
The College Of Wooster earned the #18 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from The College Of Wooster typically earn about $27,174 annually.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying philosophy schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Early-career philosophy graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville make a median of around $23,219 per year.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $21,824 annually.
John Carroll University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying philosophy schools. John Carroll University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of University Heights. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from John Carroll University typically earn about $17,813 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their philosophy graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 21 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.