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Philosophy at University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
19 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
19
Optimistic
19
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,669/yr (-24% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,000 openings/yr)
ROI 6.6x earnings multiple (2.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #68 of 77 Philosophy programs

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 $385K $401K $399K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 6.3x 6.6x 6.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.1x 2.2x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 44% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 19 19 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,060
Out-of-state: $184,168 (2.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$47,000
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $24,669/yr fall 24% below the $32,297 national median for Philosophy. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

At 6.6x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 64% task exposure — and the -4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $15,000 debt-to-$24,669 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #68 out of 77 programs, University of California-San Diego's financial outcomes for Philosophy trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of California-San Diego

University of California-San Diego admits 25% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, one of the larger campuses at 33,787 students in La Jolla, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-San Diego →

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 University of California-San Diego

Computer Science ($112,006) Computer Engineering ($96,256) Mathematics and Computer Science ($89,651) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,687) Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology ($76,592) Mechanical Engineering ($69,555) Biological/Biosystems Engineering ($67,016) Civil Engineering ($65,478)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-San Diego's Philosophy program score?
This program scores 19/100 — 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.
Why are Philosophy earnings lower at University of California-San Diego?
Lower starting pay at University of California-San Diego may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →