Doctoral (Professional)-25% vs national median586 grads tracked
Legal Professions and Studies at Valparaiso University
Ranked 59th of 61 doctoral (professional) programs in Legal Professions and Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$54,338
middle 50%: $35,024 – $70,842
Median · 5 years out
$79,389
middle 50%: $62,168 – $103,379
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Legal Professions and Studies (doctoral (professional)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Legal Profession graduates earn $54,338 in their first year. Median earnings reach $79,389 by year five.
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
5.3 yrs
≈ $6,020 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Montana (The)
$86,391 · 5 yrs out
Regent University
$83,869 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$83,626 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$83,292 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$83,134 · 5 yrs out
University of Southern Maine
$82,959 · 5 yrs out
Northern Illinois University
$82,932 · 5 yrs out
Texas Southern University
$81,945 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
$81,671 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina Central University
$79,620 · 5 yrs out
Liberty University
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical Colg at Baton Rouge
$73,066 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Valparaiso University
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$108,001 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$100,260 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$94,389 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's)
$93,297 · 5 yrs out
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$90,632 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$89,852 · 5 yrs out
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,417 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's)
$81,295 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Bachelor's)
$79,444 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$79,389 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$78,804 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Bachelor's)
$78,796 · 5 yrs out