Analysis
UC Santa Cruz's philosophy program manages to outperform 60% of California philosophy programs despite posting below-average first-year earnings. The key is strong momentum: graduates see their income jump 30% by year four, reaching $39,427—pulling ahead of UCLA and Cal State Fullerton grads who started with similar salaries. In California's competitive philosophy landscape, this growth trajectory matters more than the modest starting point.
The debt picture is notably favorable. At $15,832, it's 30% below the national median for philosophy programs and matches California's state median exactly. This manageable debt load, combined with the 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio, means graduates can handle payments even during that challenging first year. Philosophy majors rarely chase high starting salaries, but they need programs that won't saddle them with crushing debt—UC Santa Cruz delivers here.
For families willing to accept a humanities degree's financial reality, this program offers a clearer path than most. You're not getting Berkeley's brand or USC's earning power, but you're also avoiding the debt traps that plague many philosophy programs (the national median is $22,641). If your student is committed to philosophy, the combination of reasonable debt and improving earnings makes this a defensible choice within California's public university system.
Where University of California-Santa Cruz Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all philosophy bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of California-Santa Cruz 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Santa Cruz | $30,285 | $39,427 | +30% |
| San Francisco State University | $28,539 | $53,614 | +88% |
| University of California-Berkeley | $36,355 | $53,357 | +47% |
| University of California-Irvine | $20,922 | $52,707 | +152% |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | $25,303 | $48,289 | +91% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Philosophy bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (57 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz | $14,560 | $30,285 | $39,427 | $15,832 | 0.52 |
 University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles | $68,237 | $38,380 | — | $11,491 | 0.30 |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $36,355 | $53,357 | $14,475 | 0.40 |
 University of California-DavisDavis | $15,247 | $32,749 | $34,146 | $13,200 | 0.40 |
 University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles | $13,747 | $30,182 | $43,881 | $15,000 | 0.50 |
 California State University-FullertonFullerton | $7,073 | $30,171 | $31,759 | — | — |
| 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 University of California-Santa Cruz, approximately 32% 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 46 graduates with reported earnings and 59 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.