Home Schools LSU Philosophy
Philosophy & Religion · Philosophy Rank #58 of 77

Philosophyat Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Graduates earn $20,222/yr in their first year — about 37.0% below the national Philosophy average. Base-case 10-year earnings $581K; scenarios range from $521K to $597K depending on AI disruption.

Baton Rouge, LA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
24 AT RISK
24
Optimistic
21
Pessimistic
Earnings
$20,222
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$581K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
65% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at LSU

The earnings data for LSU Philosophy suggests a unique regional dynamic. While a philosophy degree develops critical thinking applicable across many fields, the Baton Rouge labor market isn't a major hub for the high-paying consulting, finance, or tech roles many philosophy graduates pivot into elsewhere. Instead, you'll find more opportunities in local government, education, non-profits, or entry-level business roles within Louisiana's economy, which may explain the lower average. Many graduates might also pursue further education, delaying higher earnings. To maximize your prospects, actively seek internships in your desired industry, consider a complementary minor in business or a STEM field, and aggressively network outside traditional academic circles to build pipelines to higher-paying sectors.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$521K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score21/100
Earnings Multiple10.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$581K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score24/100
Earnings Multiple12.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$597K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score24/100
Earnings Multiple12.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to LSU's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Philosophy graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Mathematicians
-0.7% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$121,680/yr
Very High
3
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 4,400 openings/yr
$79,350/yr
High
4
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
+0.7% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$78,050/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Philosophy

How LSU stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
40
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
29
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
0.2x
ROI
Boston College
MA · Private nonprofit
29
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
1.1x
ROI
Top score
Utah Valley University
UT · Public
45
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
16.4x
ROI
CUNY Lehman College
NY · Public
43
DW Score
$43K
1-yr earn
13.6x
ROI
Also at LSU

Other top programs at LSU

Other highest-scoring programs offered at LSU, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Philosophy at LSU

How does Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College's Philosophy program score?

This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for Philosophy. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Philosophy to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Philosophy careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 64% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Philosophy earnings lower at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College?

Lower starting pay at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.