Doctoral (Research)-5% vs national median454 grads tracked
Social Sciences at University of Colorado Boulder
Ranked 44th of 61 doctoral (research) programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$75,158
middle 50%: $53,536 – $97,541
Median · 5 years out
$87,514
middle 50%: $67,868 – $118,055
Median · 10 years out
$103,931
middle 50%: $78,137 – $133,789
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Social Sciences (doctoral (research)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Research doctorates in Social Sciences at University of Colorado Boulder command a $75k first-year median. Earnings reach $104k by year ten.
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
4.3 yrs
≈ $4,597 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Connecticut
$88,977 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$88,921 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$88,764 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$88,421 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$88,097 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$86,929 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$86,929 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$85,394 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$84,610 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$84,561 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$84,000 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Colorado Boulder
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$179,121 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$162,413 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$136,557 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$134,060 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$121,503 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$121,397 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$118,475 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$115,546 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,642 · 5 yrs out
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,066 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$104,453 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$104,453 · 5 yrs out