WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+10% vs national median60 grads tracked

Philosophy and Religious Studies at University of Michigan

Ranked 4th of 21 doctoral (research) programs in Philosophy and Religious Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$70,870
middle 50%: $54,051 – $87,772
Median · 5 years out
$82,872
middle 50%: $76,015 – $101,595
Median · 10 years out
$96,791
middle 50%: $78,977 – $122,364

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 University of Michigan's doctoral (research) program in Philosophy and Religious Studies earn a median $70,870 one year after graduating, rising to $96,791 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 10% above the national median of $75,372 for this field, ranking 4th 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
4.6 yrs
≈ $4,904 total interest

Same major at other universities

Loyola University Chicago
$89,880 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$88,826 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$83,557 · 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
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$76,770 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$75,704 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Michigan

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$240,526 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$193,286 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$162,338 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,020 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$148,552 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$144,865 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$139,695 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$137,498 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$137,470 · 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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