WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+2% vs national median82 grads tracked

Philosophy and Religious Studies at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 9th of 21 doctoral (research) programs in Philosophy and Religious Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$59,422
middle 50%: $37,935 – $77,901
Median · 5 years out
$76,770
middle 50%: $64,666 – $94,148
Median · 10 years out
$65,986
middle 50%: $51,223 – $86,367

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Philosophy and Religious Studies (doctoral (research)) graduates.

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

Graduates of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's doctoral (research) program in Philosophy and Religious Studies earn a median $59,422 one year after graduating, rising to $65,986 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% above the national median of $75,372 for this field, ranking 9th of 21 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
5.3 yrs
≈ $5,757 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Texas at Austin
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$82,872 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$82,551 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Stony Brook
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$77,146 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$75,704 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$75,372 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$74,055 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$73,872 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$73,442 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$128,910 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

Philosophy
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Philosophy and Religious Studies, General
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Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other
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Religion/Religious Studies
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