by our College Data Analytics Team
[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a philosophy degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying philosophy schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose philosophy graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Chicago earned the #1 spot for highest-paid philosophy graduates in Illinois. Located 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Wheaton College Illinois earned it the #2 place for philosophy. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,113.
A rank of #3 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,470.
Students chasing top earnings in philosophy will find them at Depaul University, which ranked #4. Located 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned it the #5 place for philosophy. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $23,219.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $21,824.
This list is compiled 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 · 6 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.