Philosophy at University of Florida

University of Florida's philosophy program starts graduates at just $24,000—well below both national and state medians—but the trajectory tells a different story. Earnings more than double to $56,000 by year four, an impressive 133% jump that eventually lifts graduates above Florida's median for philosophy majors. However, that first year represents a genuine hardship period, ranking in just the 19th percentile nationally. Even within Florida, where UF is a flagship institution, this program sits at the state median, trailing UCF and FIU by significant margins.

The $17,217 in debt is manageable, especially given UF's competitive tuition for in-state students. But that 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one means new graduates face nearly 9 months of pre-tax income going toward their loans if they enter repayment immediately. The demographic data suggests this isn't primarily a privileged student body coasting on family wealth—22% receive Pell grants, a meaningful proportion at a selective institution.

The key question is whether your child can weather those first couple of years. If they have financial support to bridge the gap while building skills and connections, the long-term outlook improves considerably. If they need immediate earning power, this program's slow start poses real challenges that even UF's strong brand won't fully offset.