WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+10% vs national median518 grads tracked

Education at Illinois State University

Ranked 27th of 135 doctoral (research) programs in Education by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$100,688
middle 50%: $76,908 – $139,309
Median · 5 years out
$110,151
middle 50%: $86,059 – $152,336
Median · 10 years out
$112,392
middle 50%: $88,421 – $160,199

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Education (doctoral (research)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Illinois State University's doctoral (research) program in Education earn a median $100,688 one year after graduating, rising to $112,392 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 10% above the national median of $100,245 for this field, ranking 27th of 135 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
3.3 yrs
≈ $3,376 total interest

Same major at other universities

Grambling State University
$111,686 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$111,487 · 5 yrs out
National Louis University
$111,237 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Denver
$110,938 · 5 yrs out
Stephen F Austin State University
$110,564 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$110,284 · 5 yrs out
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
$110,151 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$109,749 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$109,693 · 5 yrs out
Virginia State University
$109,603 · 5 yrs out
Valdosta State University
$109,485 · 5 yrs out
George Mason University
$109,266 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Illinois State University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$100,616 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$94,916 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$93,908 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$92,435 · 5 yrs out
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's)
$91,685 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$91,592 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$89,527 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$88,197 · 5 yrs out
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctorate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Master's)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out

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