Doctoral (Research)-4% vs national median569 grads tracked
Engineering at University of Illinois Chicago
Ranked 34th of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$101,671
middle 50%: $64,996 – $127,476
Median · 5 years out
$133,429
middle 50%: $103,048 – $179,358
Median · 10 years out
$164,346
middle 50%: $131,202 – $239,979
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 doctorates at University of Illinois Chicago command a $102k median first-year salary. Earnings rise to $164k 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
3.1 yrs
≈ $3,225 total interest
Same major at other universities
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$136,278 · 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 Massachusetts - Lowell
$132,457 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$132,072 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Arlington
$131,085 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$130,918 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$130,386 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$130,026 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Illinois Chicago
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$203,383 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$155,322 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$152,674 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$149,199 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$146,852 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,939 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$135,535 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$123,770 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$117,024 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$115,930 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$113,557 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$112,779 · 5 yrs out
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