Doctoral (Professional)-21% vs national median1,641 grads tracked
Law at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Ranked 52nd of 61 doctoral (professional) programs in Law by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$58,121
middle 50%: $45,233 – $72,343
Median · 5 years out
$83,292
middle 50%: $65,210 – $108,589
Median · 10 years out
$100,241
middle 50%: $74,231 – $142,371
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Law (doctoral (professional)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
This law program yields a first-year median salary of $58k. Ten-year earnings reach approximately $100k for these professional doctorate holders.
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
5.1 yrs
≈ $5,649 total interest
Same major at other universities
CUNY School of Law
$89,395 · 5 yrs out
Hamline University
$88,688 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Kansas City
$87,145 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$86,391 · 5 yrs out
Regent University
$83,869 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$83,626 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$83,134 · 5 yrs out
University of Southern Maine
$82,959 · 5 yrs out
Northern Illinois University
$82,932 · 5 yrs out
Texas Southern University
$81,945 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
$81,671 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina Central University
$79,620 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$128,910 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out