WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-20% vs national median54 grads tracked

Philosophy at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 145th of 163 bachelor's programs in Philosophy by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$25,070
middle 50%: $18,992 – $31,171
Median · 5 years out
$44,767
middle 50%: $34,840 – $62,421
Median · 10 years out
$70,870
middle 50%: $49,703 – $92,948

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 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's bachelor's program in Philosophy earn a median $25,070 one year after graduating, rising to $70,870 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 20% below the national median of $56,148 for this field, ranking 145th 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
9.3 yrs
≈ $11,981 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
$45,933 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina Asheville
$45,751 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$45,014 · 5 yrs out
Oregon State University
$44,978 · 5 yrs out
SUNY at Fredonia
$44,956 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$44,785 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Oneonta
$44,767 · 5 yrs out
Appalachian State University
$44,549 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$44,398 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$44,129 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Hilo
$43,820 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University Southeast
$43,820 · 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

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