Philosophyat University of Southern California
Graduates earn $38,380/yr in their first year — about 19.0% above the national Philosophy average. Base-case 10-year earnings $846K; scenarios range from $699K to $908K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Southern California
A Philosophy degree from USC uniquely positions you, thanks to the university's strong brand and its Los Angeles location. The rigorous training in logic, ethics, and critical thinking from a selective institution makes you highly adaptable, explaining why graduates find success in diverse, high-demand fields like consulting, data analysis, or strategic management, not just academia. Your ability to dissect complex problems and articulate nuanced arguments is highly valued by employers, including tech firms and financial institutions that recruit heavily from USC.
While some entry-level analytical tasks might face AI disruption, the strategic, leadership-oriented roles many graduates pursue leverage inherently human skills. To maximize your potential, actively seek internships that apply your analytical strengths in a business or tech context, demonstrating how your philosophical training translates into practical problem-solving.
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 Southern California'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 Southern California stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Southern California
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Southern California, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Philosophy at University of Southern California
What does a 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Philosophy at University of Southern California?
At 37/100, 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 Southern California?
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 Southern California one of the best schools for Philosophy?
Among 77 Philosophy programs, University of Southern California's #17 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What do students actually pay for Philosophy at University of Southern California?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $272,948. At a net cost of $127,708, the earnings multiple improves substantially.