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Philosophy is a Great Major

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    • AboutLearn about this site, its creator, and The Institute for Philosophy in Public Life
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  • Jobs and SalariesHow philosophy compares to other jobs, in terms of salaries and lifetime earnings. You’ll be surprised how well it stacks up.
  • People with Philosophy DegreesArticles discussing the many careers and experiences of philosophy degree holders
  • Which Courses?Don’t know which philosophy courses to take? Explains what’s best for first-timers and how to compare course numbers.
  • More than a jobThe economic argument for philosophy is strong, but having a good, well-balanced life is also important. Philosophy can help.

Explore the Data

This site aggregates economic data about philosophy majors, including their salaries, opportunities, and personal experiences. Please explore and send us your feedback. Consider donating to help us with this and other projects. Donation links are underneath every post.

Why Philosophy?

What colleges don’t tell you is that most graduates change their careers many times. If you spent your entire time studying engineering and it turns out that you hate being an engineer, you have to start from scratch. You’ve wasted your time and money. It’s the same with journalism, pre-med,…Continue reading “Why Philosophy?”

February 18, 2018January 5, 2021
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Humanities Graduates are Gainfully Employed and Happy

On February 7, 2018, The Association of American Universities released a report offering data to show that graduates with humanities…

March 22, 2017January 5, 2021
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In 2015, only 5% of Philosophy Majors were unemployed, six months after graduation.

Despite the anti-philosophy rhetoric, philosophy majors do very well in the job market. A recent study by The Federal Reserve…

February 17, 2017January 5, 2021
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Philosophers Don’t Get Much Respect, But Their Earnings Don’t Suck

538 is the nations most respected site for sports, politics, and economic statistical analysis. They took issue with presidential candidate’s Marco Rubio’s…

Testimonials

They told you that philosophy majors don’t get jobs.
They told you that you should practice asking “do you want fries with that?”
They told you philosophy wasn’t about real-world skills.
They lied.

Jack

Salaries…

Salaries of Philosophy Majors Over Time

20 Feb 2017January 5, 2021
A philosophy degree is not quite what it seems. In fact, it is much more. A recent report by PayScale noted that of all the humanities bachelors degrees, philosophy is the best.…
People with Philosophy Degrees

Peter Thiel

20 Feb 2017January 5, 2021
B.A. in philosophy from Stanford University (1989)Co-Founder of PayPal, President of Clarium Capital, Board member of Facebook, Chairman of Plantir, and Chair of Mithril Capital Peter Thiel's philosophical background has…
Salaries…

Philosophers make much more than welders

20 Feb 2017January 5, 2021
In the fourth Republican Debate of the 2016 election, candidate Marco Rubio made the comment that "Welders make more than philosophers," suggesting that students should pursue trade occupations rather than the…
Salaries…

Philosophy Projected as Top-Paid Class of 2016 Humanities Major

20 Feb 2017January 4, 2021
National Association of College Employers (NACE) has philosophy projected as the highest earning 2016 humanities major. Read about it here at  naceweb.org
People with Philosophy Degrees

David Souter

19 Feb 2017January 4, 2021
Harvard University (1961) Retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
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Susan Sontag

19 Feb 2017January 4, 2021
University of Chicago (1951) Award winning essayist, filmmaker, teacher and political activist. Her well-known works include On Photography, Styles of Radical Will, Illness as Metaphor, Regarding the Pain of Others, and Against Interpretation.

Philosophers Don’t Get Much Respect, But Their Earnings Don’t Suck

17 Feb 2017January 5, 2021
538 is the nations most respected site for sports, politics, and economic statistical analysis. They took issue with presidential candidate's Marco Rubio's comment that "welders make more than philosophers, we need more…
People with Philosophy Degrees…

Philosophy degree holders Peter Thiel (PayPal Founder), Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn Founder), Paul Graham (inventor of the Y Accelerator) are “the philosopher kings of Silicon Valley.”

17 Feb 2017January 5, 2021
Philosophy degrees have been incredibly useful in Silicon Valley leading to both riches and ideas that have changed the world. Consider Peter Thiel, who earned a B.A. in Philosophy at Stanford University in 1989.…
Salaries…

Return on Investment in a Philosophy Major Is Comparable To That Of an Engineering Major

17 Feb 2017January 5, 2021
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) has shown that philosophy is at least as good of an investment as engineering and health fields. A new study published by the National Bureau of…
People with Philosophy Degrees

Alex Trebek

2 Feb 2017January 4, 2021
University of Ottawa (1961) Canadian-American television personality and host of Jeopardy!
People with Philosophy Degrees

Beverley McLachlin

2 Feb 2017January 4, 2021
B.A. in philosophy from the University of Alberta (1965) 17th Chief Justice of Canada, and Deputy of the Governor General of Canada
People with Philosophy Degrees

George Soros

2 Feb 2017January 4, 2021
London School of Economics (1952)Chairman of the Open Society Foundations, and Founder and adviser of the Quantum Fund

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