Philosophy at Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,072/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,000 openings/yr)
ROI 25.0x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #20 of 77 Philosophy programs Top 50%

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 $579K $566K $510K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 25.6x 25.0x 22.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.5x 6.8x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 44% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$22,624
Out-of-state: $75,144 (7.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$43,988
-94% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
9.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,843
99% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $27,072/yr fall 16% below the $32,297 national median for Philosophy. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 25.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Philosophy programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Philosophy's typical career paths, with 64% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $27,072 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #20 of 77 Philosophy programs, Florida State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $53,843 show a 99% jump from the $27,072 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Florida State University

Florida State University admits 25% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with 31,812 students enrolled in Tallahassee, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at Florida State University →

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 Florida State University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Philosophy at Florida State University?
A score of 36/100 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 $510,139 in decade earnings vs $578,685 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Philosophy from Florida State University?
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 →