Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $20,922/yr fall 35% below the $32,297 national median for Philosophy. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The 10.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 64% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $21,251 debt load exceeds a year of the $20,922 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.
At #53 out of 77 programs, University of California-Irvine's financial outcomes for Philosophy trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $20,922 to $55,157 over five years (164% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.