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Philosophy at The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,881/yr (27% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.4x earnings multiple (3.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 77 Philosophy programs Top 10%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Philosophy graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $539K $533K $488K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.5x 11.4x 10.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.2x 3.1x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 44% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,712
Out-of-state: $171,112 (3.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,712
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,022
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of The University of Texas at Austin's Philosophy program earn $40,881/yr in their first year — 27% above the $32,297 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 11.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 64% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $19,500 in median debt against $40,881 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #6 ranking out of 77 Philosophy programs nationally puts The University of Texas at Austin in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $40,881 to $55,022 shows 35% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin admits 29% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, one of the larger campuses at 42,100 students in Austin, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas at Austin →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Mathematicians $121,680/yr
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary $79,350/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 77 schools offering Philosophy →

Philosophy at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($73,053) Columbia University in the City of New York ($52,668) Boston College ($47,345) Utah Valley University ($43,699) CUNY Lehman College ($43,311) Southern Methodist University ($42,334) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($42,072) University of Washington-Bothell Campus ($42,072)

Other Majors at The University of Texas at Austin

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($111,587) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($96,997) Business/Commerce, General ($94,041) Chemical Engineering ($87,365) Petroleum Engineering ($86,761) Management Information Systems and Services ($86,622) Mechanical Engineering ($82,227) Finance and Financial Management Services ($81,844)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Texas at Austin's Philosophy program score?
This program scores 42/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →