Philosophy at California State University-Northridge
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How California State University-Northridge graduates compare to all programs nationally
California State University-Northridge graduates earn $21k, placing them in the 5th percentile of all philosophy bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Philosophy bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (57 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Northridge | $20,822 | $42,022 | — | — |
| University of Southern California | $38,380 | — | $11,491 | 0.30 |
| University of California-Berkeley | $36,355 | $53,357 | $14,475 | 0.40 |
| University of California-Davis | $32,749 | $34,146 | $13,200 | 0.40 |
| University of California-Santa Cruz | $30,285 | $39,427 | $15,832 | 0.52 |
| University of California-Los Angeles | $30,182 | $43,881 | $15,000 | 0.50 |
| National Median | $31,652 | — | $22,641 | 0.72 |
Other Philosophy Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California Los Angeles | $68,237 | $38,380 | $11,491 |
| University of California-Berkeley Berkeley | $14,850 | $36,355 | $14,475 |
| University of California-Davis Davis | $15,247 | $32,749 | $13,200 |
| University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz | $14,560 | $30,285 | $15,832 |
| University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles | $13,747 | $30,182 | $15,000 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At California State University-Northridge, approximately 56% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 12 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.