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 schools below stand out for the salaries their philosophy graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying philosophy schools.
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If you want to know which schools send philosophy graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Fordham University the top school for philosophy graduate earnings in New York. Fordham University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Fordham University typically earn about $93,875 annually.
New York University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in philosophy, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career philosophy graduates from New York University make a median of around $76,802 per year.
A rank of #3 makes St Johns University New York one of the highest-paying schools for philosophy. St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. Philosophy graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of about $52,256 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Columbia University In The City Of New York earned it the #4 place for philosophy. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Early-career philosophy graduates from Columbia University In The City Of New York make a median of around $33,503 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in philosophy will find them at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. 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 earned the #6 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a public institution. Early-career philosophy graduates from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice make a median of around $51,730 per year.
Syracuse University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from Syracuse University typically earn about $35,602 annually.
Cuny City College earned the #8 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. Cuny City College is a public school located in the city of New York. Philosophy graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of about $33,339 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying philosophy schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a public institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,431.
Suny At Binghamton placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. Early-career philosophy graduates from Suny At Binghamton make a median of around $25,626 per year.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #11 position for philosophy graduate earnings this year. 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. 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 · 11 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.