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Philosophy & Religion · Philosophy Rank #13 of 77

Philosophyat University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Graduates earn $42,072/yr in their first year — about 30.0% above the national Philosophy average. Base-case 10-year earnings $512K; scenarios range from $474K to $515K depending on AI disruption.

Seattle, WA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
39 AT RISK
40
Optimistic
32
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,072
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$512K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
65% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Washington

The strong earnings for UW-Seattle Philosophy graduates aren't just about the degree itself, but its potent combination with the region. Seattle’s dynamic economy, particularly its thriving tech and biotech sectors, places a high premium on rigorous analytical thinking, complex problem-solving, and ethical reasoning – precisely the skills cultivated by a top-tier philosophy program. You'll find graduates excelling in roles that demand conceptual clarity and strategic insight, often in project management, data analysis, or even product development within major companies like Amazon or Microsoft, where their ability to dissect complex problems outshines many. The university's strong reputation and local employer connections also facilitate these transitions. To maximize your potential, consider internships that bridge your philosophical training with practical applications, perhaps in tech ethics, policy, or data-driven fields, demonstrating how your critical acumen translates directly into value.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$474K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple9.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$512K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple10.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$515K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple10.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Washington's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Philosophy graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Mathematicians
-0.7% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$121,680/yr
Very High
3
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 4,400 openings/yr
$79,350/yr
High
4
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
+0.7% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$78,050/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Philosophy

How University of Washington stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
40
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
29
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
0.2x
ROI
Boston College
MA · Private nonprofit
29
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
1.1x
ROI
Top score
Utah Valley University
UT · Public
45
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
16.4x
ROI
CUNY Lehman College
NY · Public
43
DW Score
$43K
1-yr earn
13.6x
ROI
Also at University of Washington

Other top programs at University of Washington

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Washington, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Philosophy at University of Washington

How does University of Washington-Seattle Campus's Philosophy program score?

This program scores 39/100 — 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 does University of Washington-Seattle Campus rank so high for Philosophy?

The #13 ranking out of 77 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.