Post-Graduate

Some students who would really like to major in philosophy wonder what they would “do” with a philosophy major and wonder whether a philosophy major makes financial sense. The good news for these students is that a philosophy major is not only intrinsically rewarding but also incredibly practical.

Data gathered by PayScale from the 2016–2017 academic year shows that people with bachelor’s degrees in philosophy tend to earn more over their lifetime than people with degrees in any other humanities field. Philosophy students have both the highest starting salary of any humanities major ($60,500) and the highest percent increase between starting and mid-career salary ($105,500).

Philosophy students also perform exceptionally well on standardized exams required for admission to graduate school.  On average, Philosophy majors score higher on the LSAT than do Political Science, English, History, Business Administration, or Finance majors.  The same is true for Philosophy majors’ performance on the GMAT (required for admission to MBA programs), and the GRE, where Philosophy majors earn the highest mean score on the verbal and writing section of any college major. 

The "Explore Majors & Careers" section of the Career Services website offers more information about the wide range of careers Philosophy majors can pursue.  If you choose a major you’re passionate about, you are much more likely to discover and develop your own personal skills, interests, and values that ultimately will help you find a rewarding profession.

Get Out There

Remember, it’s never too early to visit Career Services. Exploring how your skills, experiences, interests, and values can influence your career choices is something you can do from your first year at Richmond through your fourth and beyond. Whether you are searching for that first job, exploring graduate school options, or considering something unique like a bridge experience or fellowship, Career Services can help you get there.