Philosophy at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,885/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.8x earnings multiple (2.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 77 Philosophy programs Top 5%

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 $703K $672K $581K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.2x 9.8x 8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.0x 2.9x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 44% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$68,912
Out-of-state: $232,288 (2.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,328
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,125
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,182
96% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $37,885 per year, Philosophy graduates from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor earn slightly above the $32,297 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.8x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Philosophy's typical career paths, with 64% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,125 represents roughly 6 months of the $37,885 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #3 of 77 nationally, this is a top-5% Philosophy program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $74,182 show a 96% jump from the $37,885 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

A 18% acceptance rate puts University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in competitive admissions territory, one of the larger campuses at 33,488 students in Ann Arbor, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor →

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

Philosophy at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Philosophy at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Philosophy. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Philosophy careers?
With 64% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $581,321 in decade earnings vs $702,959 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Philosophy program stand out?
Ranked #3 of 77 programs nationally, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →