Philosophy at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

UNM's Philosophy program starts rough—graduates earn just $26,205 in their first year, about 18% below the national median for philosophy majors. But here's the counterintuitive part: within New Mexico, this actually ranks at the 60th percentile. That speaks more to the state's challenging job market than to this program's strength. With only two schools offering philosophy degrees in New Mexico, your child isn't choosing between many alternatives if they're set on staying in-state.

The good news is the trajectory. Earnings jump 52% by year four to nearly $40,000, which closes much of that initial gap. The debt load of $24,095 is reasonable—less than one year's starting salary—making this manageable even during those lean early years. Still, we're talking about a small sample (under 30 graduates), so one or two outliers could skew these numbers significantly.

For a philosophy major committed to New Mexico, this program won't bury your child in debt. But if they're mobile and career-focused, programs in larger markets might offer better starting opportunities. The 95% admission rate and moderate test scores suggest UNM serves a broad population, which can mean less networking advantage. Philosophy works best as preparation for grad school or when paired with career-focused minors—pure philosophy degrees require strategic planning regardless of where you earn them.