Doctoral (Research)-2% vs national median456 grads tracked
Social Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington
Ranked 35th of 61 doctoral (research) programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$76,818
middle 50%: $60,891 – $97,031
Median · 5 years out
$90,034
middle 50%: $72,809 – $111,592
Median · 10 years out
$107,416
middle 50%: $85,945 – $138,553
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 Sciences research doctorate graduates from Indiana University - Bloomington earn $77k in year one. Earnings rise to $107k 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
4.3 yrs
≈ $4,477 total interest
Same major at other universities
Arizona State University
$91,385 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$90,910 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$90,795 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$90,722 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$90,406 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$90,101 · 5 yrs out
Loyola University Chicago
$89,177 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$89,036 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$88,977 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$88,921 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$88,764 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Indiana University - Bloomington
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$185,244 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$162,623 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$154,557 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$150,773 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Master's)
$132,457 · 5 yrs out
Optometry (Doctorate)
$120,596 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$119,345 · 5 yrs out
Natural Resources and Conservation (Doctorate)
$115,056 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$110,151 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$110,151 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$109,526 · 5 yrs out
Library Science (Doctorate)
$109,070 · 5 yrs out