Doctoral (Research)-8% vs national median360 grads tracked
Engineering at Colorado State University
Ranked 48th of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$93,908
middle 50%: $62,301 – $124,170
Median · 5 years out
$127,509
middle 50%: $97,492 – $160,199
Median · 10 years out
$139,769
middle 50%: $109,003 – $194,261
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Engineering (doctoral (research)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Engineering research doctorate graduates command a median of $94k in year one. Median pay rises to $140k by the tenth year.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
3.3 yrs
≈ $3,477 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Oklahoma
$129,865 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama in Huntsville
$129,686 · 5 yrs out
Wright State University
$128,877 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$128,047 · 5 yrs out
Missouri University of Science and Technology
$127,359 · 5 yrs out
City College of New York - CUNY
$127,147 · 5 yrs out
Lamar University
$125,457 · 5 yrs out
University of Wyoming
$125,175 · 5 yrs out
Clemson University
$124,978 · 5 yrs out
University of New Orleans (The)
$124,051 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Colorado State University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$212,009 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$135,185 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$131,863 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$125,457 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Bachelor's)
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,842 · 5 yrs out
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's)
$108,642 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$107,710 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$106,687 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$106,500 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$106,400 · 5 yrs out
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