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What Can You Do With a Philosophy Degree?

A philosophy degree is about how you think, lead, and make sense of the world’s hardest problems. It helps individuals develop communication, critical thinking, and reasoning skills that employers value. Access a wide range of career paths and industries to keep up with workforce changes.

A Major That Stays Relevant

With an ever-changing world, it is important to choose a degree that stays relevant. Philosophy teaches students core skills that are critical to employers now and in the future. From bioethics to AI regulation to free speech and governance, philosophical foundations guide day-to-day decisions where values and policy meet.

The results speak for themselves. Philosophy majors consistently excel on graduate entrance exams like the LSAT and gain admission to medical school at higher rates than many science majors, proving that the ability to think clearly, reason ethically, and communicate effectively never goes out of style.

With an increasingly complicated society, ethics play a role in change, innovation, and regulation. Willamette's philosophy major ensures that students develop strong skills that employers require in a complex workplace.

What Skills Do You Learn?

Students studying philosophy explore complex questions and develop arguments around ethics, values, and reason. In return, they develop a set of skills that are increasingly important for today's society. Philosophy majors learn to:

  • Analyze complex ideas with logic and precision
  • Communicate clearly in writing and speech
  • Approach problems with empathy and ethical awareness
  • Conduct independent research and build sound arguments

Willamette students gain these skills and more within our liberal arts college. Our students gain exposure to other academic disciplines, broadening their knowledge and skills after graduation.

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What Jobs Can You Get With a Philosophy Degree?

Philosophy graduates thrive anywhere thoughtful decision-making matters. As such, the list of career possibilities and jobs for philosophy majors is limitless.

Is a Philosophy Degree Worth It?

Philosophy majors see some of the strongest long-term earnings growth of any humanities field.  A philosophy degree can provide knowledge and skills that employers are looking for. However, individuals have to make the most of their experience. Whether you pursue a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or a PhD, you'll want to understand how to utilize your philosophy degree.

A study from the American Philosophical Association (APA) found that philosophy majors had the highest starting salary of any humanities major and the highest percent increase between early-career to mid-career pay among humanities.

Willamette graduates have also pursued advanced degrees at:

  • Brown University
  • McDaniel College
  • Seattle University School of Law
  • St. Andrews
  • UC Irvine
  • UC San Diego
  • University of California, Davis – School of Law
  • University of Chicago
  • University of Nebraska
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Washington

Who Hires Philosophy Majors?

Students who major in philosophy work for a variety of different employers and industries. They find jobs with government and law firms, marketing agencies, colleges and universities, and businesses. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2023, 60% of philosophy and religion degree holders work in management, educational instruction, legal services, social services, and business operations.

Willamette Philosophy graduates have worked in government, law, healthcare, and education at employers like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Oregon House of Representatives, and the District Attorney's Office. Through our Career Development team, we help students navigate the job market and use their skills in a field they're interested in.

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Is Philosophy a Good Major?

Yes! In a world of automation and AI, human reasoning matters more than ever. Philosophy majors lead with critical thinking, not code. In addition,  majoring in philosophy leads to many different career paths and options. With the increase of AI and technology, ethics will continue to play a huge role in society, and there will always be a demand for problem-solving and critical thinking.

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Is Philosophy a Good Major for Law School?

Absolutely! Philosophy majors consistently rank among the top scorers on the LSAT because the discipline trains you to analyze language, logic, and argument, which is the foundation of every great lawyer. 

At Willamette, students can also choose to pursue a pre-law track. They can find support and resources that prepare them for a legal career. We also offer a 3+3 Law School program where students can pursue a bachelor's degree and a JD at the same time.

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Why Choose Willamette for Your Philosophy Degree?

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Philosophy