WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+7% vs national median3,205 grads tracked

Engineering at University of Michigan

Ranked 10th of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$117,102
middle 50%: $76,266 – $153,413
Median · 5 years out
$148,552
middle 50%: $117,661 – $191,036
Median · 10 years out
$177,590
middle 50%: $137,915 – $243,343

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 University of Michigan's doctoral (research) program in Engineering earn a median $117,102 one year after graduating, rising to $177,590 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% above the national median of $139,316 for this field, ranking 10th 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
2.7 yrs
≈ $2,802 total interest

Same major at other universities

Portland State University
$158,313 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$156,021 · 5 yrs out
Arizona State University
$155,189 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$151,479 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Albany
$151,191 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
$148,888 · 5 yrs out
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

Other majors at University of Michigan

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$240,526 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$193,286 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$162,338 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,020 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$144,865 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$139,695 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$137,498 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$137,470 · 5 yrs out
Systems Science and Theory (Certificate)
$134,767 · 5 yrs out

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