Best colleges for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
A program that focuses on philosophical foundations, political institutions, collective behavior, economic theory, and economic influences.
20 U.S. institutions graduated 164 Philosophy, Politics, and Economics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 30.5101, a specialization of Philosophy (CIP 30.51), and leads most directly to the Economists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3011).
About Philosophy, Politics, and Economics programs
A program that focuses on philosophical foundations, political institutions, collective behavior, economic theory, and economic influences. Includes instruction in econometrics, logic, metaphysics, moral responsibility, philosophy of language, philosophy of perception, philosophy through history, reasoning and persuasion, and social epistemology.
See also: 38.0101 - Philosophy., 45.0601 - Economics, General., 45.1001 - Political Science and Government, General.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Philosophy program, officially titled Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, is designed for students interested in exploring the philosophical foundations of political and economic systems. This interdisciplinary program combines critical thinking with an understanding of collective behavior and economic theory, making it ideal for those who wish to engage deeply with societal issues.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, reading comprehension, and effective communication. Coursework includes topics in econometrics, logic, moral responsibility, and social epistemology, providing a robust foundation for analyzing complex philosophical and economic questions.
Credentials awarded
What Philosophy, Politics, and Economics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree146 graduates / yr · 17 institutions89%
- Associate's degree9 graduates / yr · 1 institution5.5%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year9 graduates / yr · 3 institutions5.5%
Graduates over time
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 45 |
| 2021 | 83 |
| 2022 | 127 |
| 2023 | 145 |
| 2024 | 151 |
| 2025 | 164 |
CIP 30.5101 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 20 institutions for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 31 | 93% | — |
| 2 | Wabash College Crawfordsville, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 29 | 77% | $19,021 |
| 3 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor's | 19 | 68% | — |
| 4 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor's | 15 | 61% | — |
| 5 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 15 | 65% | $28,911 |
| 6 | Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor's | 10 | 64% | — |
| 7 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 68% | — |
| 8 | Calvin University Grand Rapids, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 74% | $22,391 |
| 9 | Luther College Decorah, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 71% | $22,827 |
| 10 | Transylvania University Lexington, KYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 71% | $21,881 |
| 11 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor's | 5 | 75% | — |
| 12 | Criswell College Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 50% | $14,057 |
| 13 | Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 55% | $32,031 |
| 14 | Ottawa University - Ottawa Ottawa, KSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 28% | $26,935 |
| 15 | Davidson College Davidson, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 91% | $16,628 |
| 16 | University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 63% | $19,439 |
| 17 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 59% | — |
| 18 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 83% | — |
| 19 | Houghton University Houghton, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 65% | $20,470 |
| 20 | Ursinus College Collegeville, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 73% | $27,153 |
Offered in 16 states
Where Philosophy, Politics, and Economics graduates come from. Each state links to all Philosophy programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 3 | 40 | University of Arizona19 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 37 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor31 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 29 | Wabash College29 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 15 | Liberty University15 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 10 | Bowling Green State University10 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 6 | University at Buffalo5 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 5 | Luther College5 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 5 | Transylvania University5 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 5 | Criswell College5 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 2 | Palm Beach Atlantic University2 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 2 | Ottawa University - Ottawa2 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 2 | Davidson College2 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 2 | University of Sioux Falls2 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 2 | Utah State University2 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 1 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst1 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 1 | Ursinus College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3011, Economists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Philosophy program can pursue various careers, with economists being a primary occupation. The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 900 positions and a median wage of $115,440, typically requiring a master's degree for advancement.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 30.5101
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Economistsprimary SOC 19-3011 | $124,720 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~900 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other SOC 19-3099 | $101,110 | -1.7% Decline | ~3,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1126 | $80,260 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~2,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1065 | $98,070 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~1,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1063 | $123,920 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~1,200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Political Scientists SOC 19-3094 | $142,080 | -3.1% Decline | ~500 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
- Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
- Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
- Explain economic impact of policies to the public.
- Review documents written by others.
- Provide advice and consultation on economic relationships to businesses, public and private agencies, and other employers.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I gain from studying Philosophy?+
You will gain skills in critical thinking, mathematics, writing, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Philosophy?+
Possible careers include economists, managers, and postsecondary teachers in philosophy and political science.
What is the job outlook for Philosophy graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 900 annual openings and a median wage of $115,440.
What is the CIP code for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics?+
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics is CIP 30.5101 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Philosophy (CIP 30.51). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on philosophical foundations, political institutions, collective behavior, economic theory, and economic influences. Includes instruction in econometrics, logic, metaphysics, moral responsibility, philosophy of language, philosophy of perception, philosophy through history, reasoning and persuasion, and social epistemology.
How many institutions offer Philosophy, Politics, and Economics programs?+
20 U.S. institutions reported Philosophy, Politics, and Economics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 16 states, awarding 164 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Philosophy graduates.
How much do Philosophy, Politics, and Economics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Economists occupation, which Philosophy, Politics, and Economics most directly leads to, pays a median of $124,720 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Philosophy graduates, so its figures match the Philosophy program page.
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