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Philosophy at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
17 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
17
Optimistic
17
Base Case
14
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,824/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,000 openings/yr)
ROI 6.0x earnings multiple (2.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #74 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 $369K $387K $390K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 5.8x 6.0x 6.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.7x 2.8x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 44% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 17 17 14

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,016
Out-of-state: $138,004 (2.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,804
5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,413
10.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$42,942
97% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,824/yr fall 32% below the $32,297 national median for Philosophy. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

At 6.0x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 64% task exposure — and the -6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,413 debt-to-$21,824 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #74 out of 77 programs, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's financial outcomes for Philosophy trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

With a 44% acceptance rate, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 34,623 students in Champaign, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign →

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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Computer Science ($124,530) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($113,503) Mathematics and Computer Science ($109,843) Computer Engineering ($103,123) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($86,483) Systems Engineering ($81,785) Nuclear Engineering ($81,134) Mechanical Engineering ($80,187)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Philosophy program score?
This program scores 17/100 — on the lower end for Philosophy. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Philosophy to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Philosophy careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 64% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Philosophy earnings lower at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Lower starting pay at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →