WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-11% vs national median201 grads tracked

Philosophy at Illinois State University

Ranked 101st of 163 bachelor's programs in Philosophy by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$35,125
middle 50%: $25,547 – $50,037
Median · 5 years out
$49,979
middle 50%: $35,325 – $69,368
Median · 10 years out
$75,329
middle 50%: $54,051 – $107,824

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Philosophy (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Illinois State University's bachelor's program in Philosophy earn a median $35,125 one year after graduating, rising to $75,329 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 11% below the national median of $56,148 for this field, ranking 101st of 163 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
8.1 yrs
≈ $9,777 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Missouri - Kansas City
$50,919 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$50,381 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$50,311 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at El Paso
$50,311 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
$50,245 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$50,050 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$49,946 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$49,855 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$49,855 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Purchase
$49,855 · 5 yrs out
University of New Orleans (The)
$49,764 · 5 yrs out
Wheaton College
$49,731 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Illinois State University

Education (Doctorate)
$110,151 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$100,616 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$94,916 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$93,908 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$92,435 · 5 yrs out
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's)
$91,685 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$91,592 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$89,527 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$88,197 · 5 yrs out
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctorate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out

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