Philosophy at Portland State University
Portland, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
19
Optimistic
19
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings
$24,124/yr (-25% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market
Medium (15,000 openings/yr)
ROI
10.4x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
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 | $464K | $468K | $444K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 10.3x | 10.4x | 9.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.8x | 3.9x | 3.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 51% | 44% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 19 | 19 | 16 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,952
Out-of-state: $120,552 (3.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,822
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,776
61% growth from Year 1
About Portland State University
With 91% of applicants admitted, Portland State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 13,619 students in Portland, OR.
See all programs and financial aid at Portland State University →Top Career Paths
Natural sciences managers
$161,180/yr
Mathematicians
$121,680/yr
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
$79,350/yr
Compare & Explore
Philosophy at Other Schools
Other Majors at Portland State University
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Philosophy at Portland State University?
A score of 19/100 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 $444,232 in decade earnings vs $463,618 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Philosophy from Portland 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 →