Skip to main content
 
  • Menu Up
  • SIUE Homepage
  • Admissions
  • Apply to SIUE
  • Visit/Tour SIUE
  • Paying for College
  • Financial Aid
  • Housing
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • International
  • Transfer
  • Academics
  • Degrees & Programs
  • Online Education
  • Continuing Education
  • Undergraduate Catalog
  • Graduate Catalog
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • School of Business
  • School of Dental Medicine
  • School of Education, Health
    and Human Behavior
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Pharmacy
  • Graduate School
  • Library & Information Services
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • Baseball (M)
  • Basketball (M)
  • Basketball (W)
  • Cross-Country (M)
  • Cross-Country (W)
  • Golf (M)
  • Soccer (M)
  • Soccer (W)
  • Softball
  • Tennis (W)
  • Track & Field (M)
  • Track & Field (W)
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
  • Maps
  • Interactive Map
  • Parking
  • Directions & Maps
  • Buildings/Areas
  • Visit/Tour SIUE
  • Virtual Tour
  • Research
  • Giving
  • About SIUE
  • About the University
  • Points of Pride
  • Chancellor
  • Mission, Goals & Plans
  • Campuses
  • Apply to SIUE
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Community & Business Partners
  • Veterans
  • SIUE Email
  • Blackboard
  • CougarNet
  • SIUE Starfish Logo
  • Menu Down
dismiss
Search
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Logo
Apply to SIUE
  • Admissions
    • Apply to SIUE
    • Visit/Tour SIUE
    • Paying for College
    • Financial Aid
    • Housing

    • Undergraduate
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Transfer
  • Academics
    • Degrees & Programs
    • Online Education
    • Continuing Education

    • Undergraduate Catalog
    • Graduate Catalog

    • College of Arts & Sciences
    • School of Business
    • School of Dental Medicine
    • School of Education, Health and Human Behavior
    • School of Engineering
    • School of Nursing
    • School of Pharmacy
    • Graduate School
    • Library & Information Services
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
    • Baseball (M)
    • Basketball (M)
    • Basketball (W)
    • Cross-Country (M)
    • Cross-Country (W)
    • Golf (M)
    • Soccer (M)
    • Soccer (W)
    • Softball
    • Tennis (W)
    • Track & Field (M)
    • Track & Field (W)
    • Volleyball
    • Wrestling
  • Maps
    • Interactive Map
    • Parking
    • Directions & Maps
    • Buildings/Areas
    • Tour/Visit SIUE
    • Virtual Tour
  • Research
  • Giving
  • About SIUE
    • About the University
    • Points of Pride
    • Chancellor
    • Mission, Goals & Plans
    • Campuses
books

Philosophy Sub MenuDismiss

 About UsFaculty & StaffDegrees & ProgramsNews & Events Current Students Giving

Degrees & Programs

College of Arts and Sciences Philosophy Degrees & Programs
Why Study Philosophy Degrees & Programs Minor About Graduate Programs

Why Study Philosophy?

A common view of philosophy is that it is wholly impractical, divorced from the types of knowledge and skills that prepare someone for the real world.

But, this is a myth.

Philosophical study develops in students some of the most important generalized skills that employers demand: problem-solving; analytical thinking; effective oral and written communication; an appreciation for, and ability to engage with, a diversity of views and ideas. Studying philosophy is excellent preparation for the professional world, as well as those seeking to go on to graduate, professional and especially law schools.

Please listen to Diana Sussman Tockstein (BA '19, International Studies) explain the value of studying Philosophy:

"I graduated in 2019..."
portfolio 1
"I graduated in 2019..."
Why Study Phiosophy?

Both employment and graduate-professional school test data demonstrate the success of philosophy majors.

  • According to Payscale (2015), philosophy majors have, on average, the highest mid-career salaries among non-STEM majors
  • According to the Law School Admission Council (2014), philosophy majors were the highest scoring major (among those > 1000 testers) on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
  • According to Educational Testing Services (2014), philosophy majors earned the highest average composite score on the GRE (the general graduate school admissions test)

For a more comprehensive look at employment and graduate and professional school testing data, see the Daily Nous’s page on The Value of Philosophy-Charts and Graphs as well as Oxford University Press’s helpful summary report for philosophy majors.

facebooktwitterlinkedinflickr instagrampinterestyoutubesocial at siue
© 2022 SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026Contact SIUEPrivacy Notice | Consumer Disclosures & ComplaintsEqual Opportunity EmployerEmploymentEmergency Notification (e-Lert)

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is authorized to operate as a postsecondary educational institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Community & Business Partners
  • Veterans
  • SIUE Starfish Logo
  • CougarNet
  • Blackboard
  • SIUE Email