Home › University of California-Berkeley › Philosophy

Philosophy at University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,355/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.1x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #24 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 $552K $543K $495K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.3x 9.1x 8.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.0x 3.0x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 44% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,400
Out-of-state: $182,508 (3.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,916
-1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,345
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,247
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Berkeley's Philosophy graduates start at $36,355/yr — above the $32,297 national average, though not by a wide margin.

A 9.1x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Philosophy career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,345 in median debt clears quickly against $36,355 in annual earnings.

A #24 ranking among 77 Philosophy programs places University of California-Berkeley in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $36,355-to-$55,247 earnings arc over five years reflects a 52% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-Berkeley

Only 12% of applicants gain admission to University of California-Berkeley, reflecting elite selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 33,073 students in Berkeley, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Berkeley →

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

Compare this program → View all 77 schools offering Philosophy →

Philosophy at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($73,053) Columbia University in the City of New York ($52,668) Boston College ($47,345) Utah Valley University ($43,699) CUNY Lehman College ($43,311) Southern Methodist University ($42,334) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($42,072) University of Washington-Bothell Campus ($42,072)

Other Majors at University of California-Berkeley

Computer Science ($149,866) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($137,295) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($90,008) Operations Research ($88,685) Mechanical Engineering ($88,497) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($88,030) Statistics ($83,227) Chemical Engineering ($81,553)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 35/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Philosophy at University of California-Berkeley?
At 35/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Philosophy programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Philosophy at University of California-Berkeley?
The 64% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →