WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-4% vs national median259 grads tracked

Social Sciences at University of Iowa

Ranked 42nd of 61 doctoral (research) programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$77,901
middle 50%: $60,476 – $102,333
Median · 5 years out
$88,421
middle 50%: $72,585 – $116,712
Median · 10 years out
$106,801
middle 50%: $79,471 – $136,741

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

Graduates of University of Iowa's doctoral (research) program in Social Sciences earn a median $77,901 one year after graduating, rising to $106,801 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 4% below the national median of $92,302 for this field, ranking 42nd of 61 reporting programs.

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
≈ $4,449 total interest

Same major at other universities

Loyola University Chicago
$89,177 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$89,036 · 5 yrs out
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
West Virginia University
$88,097 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$87,514 · 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

Other majors at University of Iowa

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$197,724 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$173,339 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$167,710 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$157,015 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,198 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$144,877 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$121,670 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$114,999 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$112,327 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$112,327 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,625 · 5 yrs out

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