Analysis
The University of Scranton's philosophy program shows something many liberal arts degrees don't: substantial income growth after graduation. While the $32,513 starting salary barely exceeds national norms for philosophy majors, earnings jump 63% by year four to nearly $53,000. Among Pennsylvania's 61 philosophy programs, Scranton lands at the 60th percentile—solidly above the state median and well ahead of larger schools like Temple and Slippery Rock, though nowhere near Penn's elite outcomes.
The debt picture looks manageable. At $27,000, graduates carry just slightly more than the national median for philosophy majors, and the 0.83 debt-to-earnings ratio means first-year income nearly covers the full loan balance. More importantly, by year four when earnings approach $53,000, that debt burden becomes quite reasonable for a humanities degree.
The main caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so your child's experience could vary significantly. But the trajectory suggests Scranton does something right in preparing philosophy majors for career advancement—perhaps through the Jesuit network or strong internship connections. For families comfortable with a modest starting salary in exchange for solid growth potential and reasonable debt, this program offers a workable path for a philosophy degree.
Where University of Scranton Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all philosophy bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Scranton 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 Scranton | $32,513 | $52,951 | +63% |
| University of Pennsylvania | $73,053 | $90,761 | +24% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $37,885 | $63,360 | +67% |
| Temple University | $28,648 | $46,706 | +63% |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | $25,869 | $37,260 | +44% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Philosophy bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (61 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of ScrantonScranton | $52,309 | $32,513 | $52,951 | $27,000 | 0.83 |
 University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia | $66,104 | $73,053 | $90,761 | $18,500 | 0.25 |
 Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg | $64,230 | $38,544 | — | $26,000 | 0.67 |
 Temple UniversityPhiladelphia | $22,082 | $28,648 | $46,706 | $25,000 | 0.87 |
 Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock | $10,507 | $25,869 | $37,260 | $27,000 | 1.04 |
| 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 Scranton, approximately 22% 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 23 graduates with reported earnings and 53 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.