Philosophy at Montclair State University

A philosophy degree with $25,000 in debt and first-year earnings around $40,000 puts this program squarely in the middle of what's typical for the field—neither exceptional nor worrisome. Based on New Jersey's philosophy programs, that debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 suggests graduates could manage their loans on entry-level salaries, though it won't be luxurious. Philosophy majors nationwide earn a median of just under $32,000 in their first year, so the $40,000 figure estimated for New Jersey programs represents a meaningful geographic advantage. The challenge, of course, is that these estimates are drawn from just a handful of similar programs in the state, not from Montclair's actual graduates.

What matters most here is what your child plans to do with the degree. Philosophy majors often pursue law school, graduate programs, or careers in education, writing, and business—fields where the real payoff comes later. If your child is committed to further education or has a clear career path that values critical thinking skills, the debt load is manageable enough not to derail those plans. If they're uncertain about next steps, though, $25,000 in loans creates pressure to find decent-paying work quickly, and philosophy doesn't guarantee an obvious employment pathway right out of college.

The practical takeaway: this appears to be a reasonable investment if paired with a concrete plan for what comes after graduation, but it's not a degree that will immediately pay for itself.