The best reason to major in philosophy is that philosophy is awesome. (Take a class or two, and you’ll see.) But some students who would really like to major in philosophy wonder what they would “do” with a philosophy major, and wonder whether a philosophy major makes financial sense. The good news for these students (and their parents) is that a philosophy major is not just intrinsically amazing—which it is—it is also incredibly practical. But don’t take our word for it, ask Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, Businessweek, and others:

Why Philosophy majors fill Silicon Valley, etc.:

https://philosophyisagreatmajor.com/

Salaries for Philosophy Majors

Data gathered by PayScale from the 2016–2017 academic year shows that people with bachelor’s degrees in philosophy tend to earn more over their lifetime than people with degrees in any other humanities field. Philosophy students have both the highest starting salary of any humanities major ($44,700) and the highest percent increase between starting and mid-career salary ($84,100).

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Degrees_that_Pay_you_Back-sort.html

http://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2015/09/philosophy-majors-out-earn-othe...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffreydorfman/2014/11/20/surprise-humanities-degrees-provide-great-return-on-investment/

http://www.syracuse.com/schools/index.ssf/2015/05/graduating_with_a_philosophy_degree_theres_more_than_starbucks_in_your_future.html

Philosophy Majors in Business

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/05/why-philosophy-majors-rule_n_4891404.html

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/10/is-philosophy-the-most-practical-major/246763/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-nasserghodsi/the-value-of-philosophy_b_1853333.html

http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/jan2010/ca20100110_896657.htm

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2007/nov/20/choosingadegree.highereducation

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2006/06/the-management-myth/304883/?single_page=true

Philosophy Majors and Law School, Medical School, Business School, and Graduate School

http://dailynous.com/value-of-philosophy/charts-and-graphs/

http://www.amsa.org/members/amsa-premeds/premed-rx/major-anxiety/

Just for Fun: Famous Philosophy Majors

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1k1qSRoDpuOeDVkYm10bTg3V3lCUGEtRGJoVDRaOU1fSWx3/view

For More Information

For more information about majoring in philosophy, talk with the Director of Undergraduate Programs or any other member of the philosophy department.