Philosophy at California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
21
Optimistic
20
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,354/yr (-37% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.6x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #66 of 77 Philosophy programs

Program Analysis

Studying Philosophy at CSU Fresno means immersing yourself in a program strong in critical thinking and analytical skills, highly valued in many fields. However, the regional labor market in the Central Valley, while growing, doesn't have the same density of corporate, tech, or finance roles that often value philosophy majors for their transferable skills in higher-paying sectors. Many graduates here find opportunities in education, public service, or local non-profits, where wages generally differ from those in major metropolitan hubs. The listed high-earning career paths often reflect individuals who combine their philosophy background with advanced degrees or specific technical skills. Given the increasing impact of AI, actively pairing your philosophical foundation with practical, in-demand skills or internships in your target industry will be crucial for maximizing your career outlook.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Philosophy graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $360K $380K $385K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.9x 13.6x 13.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 5.0x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 44% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 20 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,920
Out-of-state: $75,440 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,920
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,824
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings

About California State University-Fresno

With 96% of applicants admitted, California State University-Fresno prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 21,070 students in Fresno, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fresno →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Mathematicians $121,680/yr
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary $79,350/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Philosophy at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Fresno

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Philosophy at California State University-Fresno?
A score of 20/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Philosophy. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Philosophy careers?
With 64% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $384,970 in decade earnings vs $360,152 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Philosophy from California State University-Fresno?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →