Home › University of Pennsylvania › Philosophy

Philosophy at University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $73,053/yr (126% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #11 of 77 Philosophy programs Top 25%

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 $669K $643K $562K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.4x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 44% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,416
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$124,916
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$90,761
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $73,053 put University of Pennsylvania's Philosophy program 126% above the national median of $32,297 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

At 2.4x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Philosophy career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $73,053 far exceeding the $19,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

University of Pennsylvania ranks #11 among 77 Philosophy programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

About University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania's 6% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, serving 10,768 students in Philadelphia, PA. The average net cost of $124,916 over four years represents a 53% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Pennsylvania →

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

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) Tulane University of Louisiana ($41,032)

Other Majors at University of Pennsylvania

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($146,204) Statistics ($129,732) Computer Science ($124,678) Finance and Financial Management Services ($122,698) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($104,502) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($93,310) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($91,443) Economics ($89,097)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 40/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Philosophy at University of Pennsylvania?
At 40/100, 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 Pennsylvania?
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.
Is University of Pennsylvania one of the best schools for Philosophy?
Among 77 Philosophy programs, University of Pennsylvania's #11 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What do students actually pay for Philosophy at University of Pennsylvania?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $264,416. At a net cost of $124,916, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →