WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+2% vs national median2,384 grads tracked

Engineering at Purdue University

Ranked 17th of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$110,962
middle 50%: $77,698 – $143,463
Median · 5 years out
$141,828
middle 50%: $115,114 – $177,647
Median · 10 years out
$166,726
middle 50%: $132,904 – $216,134

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of Purdue University's doctoral (research) program in Engineering earn a median $110,962 one year after graduating, rising to $166,726 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% above the national median of $139,316 for this field, ranking 17th of 80 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
2.8 yrs
≈ $2,959 total interest

Same major at other universities

Georgia Institute of Technology
$148,445 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
$145,494 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$144,896 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$144,354 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$142,527 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
$140,852 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$139,926 · 5 yrs out
Oregon State University
$139,445 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$139,316 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$137,740 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$137,677 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Purdue University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$219,424 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$162,085 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$160,199 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,081 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$151,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,110 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$135,976 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,565 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$122,270 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Doctorate)
$122,253 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$118,628 · 5 yrs out

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