Philosophy at University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,749/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,000 openings/yr)
ROI 7.2x earnings multiple (2.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #50 of 77 Philosophy programs

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 $433K $442K $427K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.1x 7.2x 7.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.4x 2.4x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 44% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 21

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$60,988
Out-of-state: $184,096 (2.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,152
-0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$34,146
4% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $32,749/yr, roughly in line with the $32,297 national median for Philosophy. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.2x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 1% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $32,749 far exceeding the $13,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #50 of 77 Philosophy programs, University of California-Davis falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of California-Davis

A 42% admission rate makes University of California-Davis accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 31,777 students in Davis, CA.

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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Philosophy at University of California-Davis?
A score of 26/100 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 $426,568 in decade earnings vs $432,779 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →