Doctoral (Research)-9% vs national median210 grads tracked
Social Sciences at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Ranked 50th of 61 doctoral (research) programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$71,441
middle 50%: $55,228 – $86,568
Median · 5 years out
$84,000
middle 50%: $71,384 – $102,889
Median · 10 years out
$105,199
middle 50%: $83,287 – $125,625
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
Social Science research doctorate graduates from SIU Carbondale earn a median $71k initially. Ten-year earnings reach $105k.
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
4.6 yrs
≈ $4,851 total interest
Same major at other universities
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
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$84,561 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$81,200 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$81,116 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$80,863 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$80,367 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$79,787 · 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