Philosophy is a great major to consider if you’re interested in studying questions about life, the universe, and everything. If you want to learn about how the world works and how you can make it better, then philosophy is a good major for you.
Philosophy majors learn to think critically, ask questions, and draw conclusions based on evidence. Also, the skills you develop will serve you well in any field you choose to pursue after graduation.
However, before you decide if it is worth it, let’s see the advantages of choosing philosophy as a major.
What is Philosophy as a Major?
Philosophy is the study of knowledge, reality, and values. It’s been around for thousands of years, but it’s still one of the most popular majors today, especially among students who plan to go into law or business after graduation.
A philosophy major is a broad-ranging field that can lead to many different careers. The skills you will gain in the course of your study apply to any profession, including law and business.
Studying philosophy as a major will give you the ability to analyze and critically think about anything that you have before you. Whether it is an essay or a book, being able to digest information quickly is essential for any job.
Reasons Why Philosophy is a Good Major
1. It’s a flexible major
Philosophy is a great degree for many reasons, including the fact that it’s an extremely flexible major.
Studying philosophy will prepare you for a variety of careers in business, law, medicine, politics, and other fields.
You can study just about anything from a philosophical perspective, from politics and law to art and literature.
2. Philosophy students get high-paying jobs
If you’re looking to earn more than your peers, then a philosophy degree might be right for you.
According to data compiled by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), philosophy majors have one of the highest average starting salaries out of all majors — $57,400.
This puts them in the top 10% of all college graduates in terms of salary potential and is well above average for their age group.
3. It improves your critical thinking skills
While it’s true that a degree in philosophy won’t automatically land you an exciting job with a high salary, the skills you will gain apply to numerous careers. You’ll learn how to think critically, analyze information, and frame arguments logically.
These are all skills that employers value highly—whether or not this is immediately clear when you’re looking for jobs straight out of college.
4. It offers a great reputation
If you plan on applying to graduate school or getting into law school, philosophy is a great major to have under your belt. It can give you a certain reputation that other majors simply cannot offer.
You’ll be seen as someone who is not afraid of trying something new—and who isn’t afraid of thinking outside the box.
5. You’ll need fewer math and science courses to graduate
Many philosophy courses are taught without any formal requirements in math or science. This means you can spend more time on your primary interest rather than taking extra courses that don’t directly relate to your major.
6. Studying philosophy improves your writing skills
Philosophy majors also tend to have better writing skills than students who major in other fields like psychology or history.
This is because it requires students to write papers on difficult topics and defend their positions using logic and evidence instead of just their feelings or opinions.
7. It helps in career growth
Philosophy helps you grow in so many ways: as a student, as an academic, as an individual, and especially in your career. Learning about philosophers can help inspire you to create and innovate for yourself.
By taking on their ideas, you may be inspired to challenge yourself to think more creatively, which could lead to better career opportunities for yourself.
8. Philosophy majors are well-positioned to succeed in business and public service
Many graduates of philosophy programs go on to pursue careers in business and public service.
These include law and medical school, but also careers in government, non-profit organizations, and business. These careers require critical thinking skills, such as the ability to analyze complex problems and find solutions.
9. You’ll learn how to organize your thoughts and explore questions
Philosophy majors learn how to organize their thoughts about complex ideas and issues through writing papers and doing research projects.
These skills are useful for any type of career because they help you understand complex ideas better, communicate clearly with others about them and organize your thoughts effectively so you can make progress on solving problems or reaching goals.
10. It improves your communication skills
Philosophy is a good major because it requires that you learn to communicate clearly and persuasively so that others understand your ideas.
This will help you communicate more effectively in any field or job you might choose after college.
11. It allows you to make choices about morality that affect others
A student who studies philosophy may have to make decisions about what actions are right or wrong, ethical or unethical. You can use logic instead of emotions to make decisions that are right for everyone involved in those situations (or at least the majority).
These decisions can affect not only the individual but also other people around them, such as employees, customers, and citizens of their community.
12. You’ll learn how to question things
Philosophy is often called “the love of wisdom” because it seeks answers to life’s most difficult questions and encourages people to ask hard questions about what they believe rather than blindly accepting whatever they’re told by others without question.
These qualities are invaluable in any career field or situation where you need to think critically about what’s happening around you — which is pretty much everywhere these days.
13. Helps you learn to live in the real world
Studying philosophy helps students learn how to think about difficult problems, find solutions and live with those solutions even when they don’t turn out exactly as expected or hoped for.
It teaches you how to live in the real world with its ups and downs, failures and successes, joys and sorrows.
Are there Jobs for Philosophy Majors?
Before you start thinking about how philosophy won’t help you get a job, think again.
A study by the American Philosophical Association states that 78% of graduates with degrees in philosophy go on to continue their education or enter the workforce with lucrative careers within 6 months.
If that isn’t enough for you, the study also says that about 85% of graduates with a master’s degree in philosophy in 2015 found employment or continue their education within six months of graduation.
How Much is Philosophy Major Salary?
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics in 2019, people with philosophy degrees make an average salary of $55,000.
Nevertheless, as a philosophy major, you can pursue many jobs even in different fields. Therefore, average annual salaries depend on the job/position.
For example, some philosophy majors work as high school teachers and make an average salary of $62,870 per year in 2020.
FAQs
How hard is it to get a 4.0 GPA as a philosophy major?
Getting a 4.0 GPA as a philosophy major is quite a hard feat. But if you can work hard to get such a great grade, you will be very competitive in graduate school and with employers.
Is philosophy a good major for law school?
Yes, because a philosophy major provides the best preparation for education and a career in law.
Conclusion: Is a Philosophy Degree Worth It?
It’s no secret that a philosophy degree will help you succeed in life. It gives you a solid education in logic, along with a great foundation in how to think and analyze different problems.
A philosophy degree gives you the tools to be successful both in your personal life and in your professional career.
Philosophy majors are often asked what they would like to do after college.
The answer is usually “I don’t know,” but these students have already learned skills that will serve them well throughout their careers: critical thinking, effective communication, problem-solving, creativity, and flexibility (because no two days are ever alike).
The ability to think logically is valued by employers across all industries, so whether you want to go into business or become a doctor, philosophy can help prepare you for success. Therefore, philosophy is a good major that’s worth it.
If you’re thinking of getting a degree in philosophy, you should check out what you can do with a Philosophy Degree.
I hope you found this article helpful.
Thanks for reading.
