Social and Philosophical Foundations of Educationat University of California-Riverside
Graduates earn $23,447/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education average. Base-case 10-year earnings $345K; scenarios range from $359K to $325K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Riverside
This highly specialized program delves into the theoretical underpinnings of education, focusing less on classroom pedagogy and more on the systemic and philosophical questions shaping learning. As such, it's not typically a direct pipeline into high-earning vocational roles. Graduates often pursue further advanced degrees, aiming for careers in academic research, educational policy analysis, curriculum development at a macro level, or non-profit advocacy rather than immediate K-12 teaching.
UCR’s strong research focus means you’ll gain critical analytical skills, but the job market for such theoretical roles is niche and competitive, often concentrated in public sector or academic institutions where salaries are generally more modest. The high AI risk reflects how tools are increasingly assisting with information synthesis and foundational research, areas central to this field. Given its unique focus, carefully consider your long-term academic or policy career goals and actively seek out research assistantships or policy internships to build practical experience during your studies.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Riverside's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
How UC Riverside stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Riverside
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Riverside, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education at UC Riverside
What does a 19/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education at University of California-Riverside?
At 19/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education at University of California-Riverside?
The 49% 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.
Is University of California-Riverside a good choice for Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-Riverside's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.