Analysis
Texas State's philosophy program starts graduates at just under $28,000—significantly below both the state median ($33,644) and national average ($31,652). More concerning, it ranks in the 25th percentile among Texas philosophy programs, meaning three-quarters of comparable programs in the state deliver better initial earnings. Your child would be earning about $8,000 less per year than philosophy graduates from UT Austin or UNT.
The debt picture looks more manageable at $26,000, which is actually lower than the national median. Combined with that first-year salary, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.93 is reasonable for humanities. There's also notable earnings growth—32% by year four—which brings graduates closer to competitive levels, though still trailing peers from stronger programs.
The critical caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers could swing considerably with a different cohort. If your child is set on philosophy at a Texas public university, UT Austin or UNT offer substantially stronger earnings outcomes for similar or lower debt. Texas State's broader accessibility (89% admission rate, lower average test scores) may appeal to some families, but the financial data suggests this particular program underperforms its in-state alternatives.
Where Texas State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all philosophy bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Texas State University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas State University | $27,893 | $36,701 | +32% |
| University of Pennsylvania | $73,053 | $90,761 | +24% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $37,885 | $63,360 | +67% |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | $30,058 | $49,447 | +65% |
| The University of Texas at Austin | $40,881 | $43,995 | +8% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Philosophy bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (33 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Texas State UniversitySan Marcos | $11,450 | $27,893 | $36,701 | $26,000 | 0.93 |
 Southern Methodist UniversityDallas | $64,460 | $42,334 | — | $21,500 | 0.51 |
 The University of Texas at AustinAustin | $11,678 | $40,881 | $43,995 | $18,676 | 0.46 |
 University of North TexasDenton | $11,164 | $37,231 | — | $17,750 | 0.48 |
 Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station | $13,099 | $30,058 | $49,447 | $19,000 | 0.63 |
 The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg | $9,859 | $14,151 | — | $13,000 | 0.92 |
| National Median | — | $31,652 | — | $22,641 | 0.72 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with philosophy graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Mathematicians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
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 Texas State University, approximately 36% 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 22 graduates with reported earnings and 29 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.