Philosophy at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

UW-Milwaukee's philosophy program lands right at the Wisconsin median for earnings ($34,666), performing reasonably well against both state and national benchmarks. The 60th percentile state ranking shows it's competitive within Wisconsin, though it trails UW-Madison by only about $1,300—a negligible difference given the likely lower total cost of attendance at Milwaukee. The $25,500 in debt is actually below both national and state averages for philosophy degrees, giving this program a more favorable debt-to-earnings ratio than many peers.

The caveat here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in the sample, these numbers could swing significantly in either direction. The slight earnings dip from year one to year four (-3%) is concerning but falls within normal variation for such a small cohort. Philosophy is never a high-earning degree path, but Milwaukee's version doesn't saddle students with outsized debt while they pursue it.

For a family prioritizing affordability and keeping debt low while their student explores philosophy, Milwaukee does the job competently. The admission profile suggests it's accessible for students across achievement levels, and the below-average debt load means your child won't be financially hamstrung if they pivot careers or need graduate school. Just understand you're making a choice for intellectual development over immediate earnings—the numbers at least show Milwaukee won't punish that choice with excessive debt.