Philosophy at University of Massachusetts-Boston

UMass Boston's philosophy program produces first-year earnings of $36,581—above the national median but trailing most Massachusetts competitors. While that lands in the 68th percentile nationally, it places at just the 40th percentile in-state, where Boston College and Boston University philosophy graduates start $4,000-$11,000 higher. The estimated debt of roughly $22,000, derived from similar bachelor's programs at the institution, creates a manageable 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio that beats many humanities benchmarks.

The earnings picture tells a common philosophy story: modest starting salaries that grow steadily but don't catch fire. Four years out, graduates earn $41,381—a 13% increase that suggests career traction, though in Boston's expensive market, these figures mean tight budgets in the early years. The school's 83% admission rate and 43% Pell population indicate it serves a different student base than the private competitors pulling stronger earnings, which matters for context but doesn't change the practical calculus your family faces.

For a philosophy degree, this program delivers solid value: actual outcomes beat the national median, debt appears reasonable based on institutional patterns, and the ratio works without requiring a finance-adjacent career pivot. The real question is whether $36,000 starting in Boston feels viable to you—because that's the reality this degree typically produces, not the $47,000 you'd see from Boston College.