WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-7% vs national median63 grads tracked

Library Science at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Ranked 3rd of 3 doctoral (research) programs in Library Science by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$95,312
middle 50%: $75,826 – $117,144
Median · 5 years out
$100,908
middle 50%: $80,163 – $138,294
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's doctoral (research) program in Library Science earn a median $95,312 one year after graduating, rising to $100,908 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 7% below the national median of $109,070 for this field, ranking 3rd of 3 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
3.5 yrs
≈ $3,611 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$121,393 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$109,070 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$226,077 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$206,093 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$177,207 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$176,681 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$173,815 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$164,239 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$159,201 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$152,834 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$151,479 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$126,011 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$125,106 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$125,106 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

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