Doctoral (Research)-2% vs national median1,317 grads tracked
Engineering at Iowa State University of Science & Technology
Ranked 28th of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$101,346
middle 50%: $69,381 – $132,503
Median · 5 years out
$136,278
middle 50%: $108,158 – $173,387
Median · 10 years out
$161,977
middle 50%: $124,276 – $204,190
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 holders earn $101k in year one. Median salaries reach $162k 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
3 yrs
≈ $3,220 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Utah
$137,740 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$137,677 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$137,159 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$136,735 · 5 yrs out
Colorado School of Mines
$136,731 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$135,252 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$134,161 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$134,060 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$133,770 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$133,569 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$133,429 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Iowa State University of Science & Technology
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$147,324 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,317 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$118,825 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$116,045 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$115,806 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$113,881 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$110,315 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$107,785 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,597 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$104,160 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$104,015 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$103,027 · 5 yrs out
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