Philosophy at New York University

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,359/yr (25% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #28 of 77 Philosophy programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

An NYU Philosophy degree, from a globally recognized department, equips you with exceptional critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and communication skills. These are highly prized across diverse professional landscapes, especially within the dynamic New York City job market, which offers unparalleled networking and internship opportunities in finance, consulting, tech, and publishing. While not a vocational path, your ability to dissect complex problems and articulate nuanced arguments often leads to roles in areas like data analysis, research, or strategic management, where a rigorous intellectual foundation is invaluable. However, with the rising prominence of AI, many entry-level analytical tasks are vulnerable. To thrive, you must actively seek experiences that demonstrate applied problem-solving and quantitative aptitude, leveraging NYU's strong career services and alumni network to translate your profound philosophical training into a specialized professional toolkit.

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 $713K $681K $587K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.8x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 44% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$241,752
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$140,140
42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$76,802
90% growth from Year 1

About New York University

New York University admits 9% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, with 29,430 students enrolled in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $140,140 over four years — 42% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at New York 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 New York University

Frequently Asked Questions

How does New York University's Philosophy program score?
This program scores 34/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →