Philosophy at Stonehill College

A philosophy degree typically doesn't command high starting salaries, and similar programs in Massachusetts suggest first-year earnings around $40,000—roughly on par with the state median but well above the $31,652 national benchmark. At an estimated $23,000 in debt, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 looks manageable compared to many liberal arts degrees. However, these figures come from comparable philosophy programs rather than Stonehill's actual outcomes, so there's inherent uncertainty in projecting your child's specific experience.

The estimated debt load appears reasonable for a private Catholic college, though it's worth noting that only 15% of Stonehill students receive Pell grants, suggesting a relatively affluent student body that may rely less on loans than these estimates indicate. Philosophy graduates often pursue law school, graduate programs, or careers in education and nonprofits—paths where first-year earnings don't tell the full story. If your child is genuinely passionate about philosophical study and you're comfortable with the private school price tag, peer program data suggests the financial burden shouldn't be crushing, though you won't know Stonehill's specific track record until more graduates enter the workforce.

The practical question is whether this investment makes sense without firmer data. If your child plans to leverage the degree toward graduate school or a specific career path, the debt burden appears survivable. If they're exploring philosophy without a clear post-graduation plan, you're essentially betting on peer program outcomes that may or may not reflect what Stonehill delivers.