The APA Responds to the New York Times

The New York Times recently published an article on a study about the relative difference in earnings between majors, particularly how much a recession affects the earning potential of different majors. Its conclusion was that “For high-earning majors, graduating into a recession increases their earnings advantage, and for low-earning ones, it increases their disadvantage.”  Michael Bratman, Chesire Calhoun, and Amy Ferrer, writing for the American Philosophical Association, have replied to the article, noting that the study lumps philosophy and religion together, which makes philosophy appear to be more of a “low-earning” major than it actually is. As they write, “Philosophy is the top earning humanities major, ranking above chemistry, accounting, and business management for midcareer earning potential.”