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 schools below stand out for the salaries their philosophy graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 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.
Our analysis ranked Fordham University the top school for philosophy graduate earnings in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Fordham University typically earn about $93,875 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Seton Hall University earned it the #2 place 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.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #3 place for philosophy. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,053.
A rank of #4 makes Catholic University Of America one of the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Catholic University Of America typically earn about $62,337 annually.
A rank of #5 makes New York University one of the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,802.
St Johns University New York placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from St Johns University New York typically earn about $52,256 annually.
Rutgers University Camden landed the #7 spot for philosophy salaries this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,015.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying philosophy schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,015.
Rutgers University Newark placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,015.
University Of Scranton earned the #10 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Scranton typically earn about $66,660 annually.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying philosophy schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school located in the suburb of College Park. Philosophy graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $59,449 a year early in their careers.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #12 spot for philosophy salaries this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $33,503 annually.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #13 spot for philosophy salaries this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a public institution. Philosophy graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of about $43,311 a year early in their careers.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying philosophy schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a public institution. Philosophy graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of about $51,730 a year early in their careers.
Gettysburg College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying philosophy schools. Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Gettysburg. Early-career philosophy graduates from Gettysburg College make a median of around $38,544 per year.
Temple University landed the #16 spot for philosophy salaries this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a public institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Temple University typically earn about $46,994 annually.
Syracuse University came in at #17 for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Philosophy graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of about $35,602 a year early in their careers.
Cuny City College came in at #18 for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a public institution. Philosophy graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of about $33,339 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #19 for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a public school located in the city of Brooklyn. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College typically earn about $41,431 annually.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #20 for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Early-career philosophy graduates from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $25,869 per year.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying philosophy schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. Philosophy graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of about $25,626 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Hunter College placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College typically earn about $10,363 annually.
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 · 22 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.