Philosophyat University of South Florida
Graduates earn $21,168/yr in their first year — about 34.0% below the national Philosophy average. Base-case 10-year earnings $641K; scenarios range from $560K to $666K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of South Florida
A philosophy degree from USF equips you with exceptional critical thinking and ethical reasoning, highly valued skills often sought in diverse fields. However, the initial earning potential you see reflects that these roles typically aren't direct entry-level positions right after graduation. Graduates often enter broader fields like law, public policy, journalism, or take on analytical roles in business or non-profits, where their unique problem-solving abilities become indispensable over time. The Tampa Bay economy, while growing, often rewards more vocational or STEM-focused degrees earlier. To maximize your return, actively seek internships that apply your analytical skills in a professional setting, and consider pairing your philosophy major with a minor in a more directly career-oriented field like business, computer science, or pre-law.
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 University of South Florida'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 Philosophy
How University of South Florida stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of South Florida
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of South Florida, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Philosophy at University of South Florida
What does a 35/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Philosophy at University of South Florida?
At 35/100, 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 South Florida?
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 South Florida a good choice for Philosophy despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of South Florida's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.