Philosophy at University of Washington-Bothell Campus

UW Bothell's Philosophy program punches well above its weight class nationally, landing in the 95th percentile for earnings while carrying debt that's 40% below the national median. That $42,072 first-year salary easily surpasses the $31,652 national median for philosophy majors—a gap that translates to roughly $10,000 more annual income right out of college. The minimal debt load means graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.32, giving them financial flexibility their peers at most institutions won't have.

Within Washington state, this program matches the performance of the flagship Seattle campus, though it ranks at the 60th percentile statewide. That's less impressive than it sounds—Washington's philosophy programs generally perform well nationally, so middle-of-the-pack in this state still means strong outcomes. The modest earnings growth to $44,568 by year four suggests philosophy majors here quickly find their footing rather than building toward dramatically higher salaries over time.

For an open-access campus with a 92% acceptance rate, these numbers are remarkable. Your child would leave with philosophy degree earnings that exceed what three-quarters of philosophy programs nationally produce, while carrying manageable debt that could be paid off within a year or two of focused effort. That combination makes this a genuinely smart choice for students drawn to philosophy who want to avoid the financial precarity often associated with humanities degrees.