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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 5 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.
Leading the list is University Of Colorado Boulder, our #1 for philosophy graduate salaries in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,852.
A rank of #2 makes Utah Valley University one of the highest-paying schools for philosophy. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a public institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,699.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying philosophy schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. Philosophy graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of about $36,307 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs one of the highest-paying schools for philosophy. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. After graduating, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs typically earn about $36,118 annually.
Colorado State University Fort Collins produces some of the highest-paid graduates in philosophy, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Students who complete the philosophy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $27,810.
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 · 5 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.