Doctoral (Research)-4% vs national median2,145 grads tracked
Engineering at North Carolina State University
Ranked 33rd of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$103,801
middle 50%: $68,392 – $133,871
Median · 5 years out
$133,569
middle 50%: $105,175 – $169,726
Median · 10 years out
$160,384
middle 50%: $123,589 – $222,714
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Engineering (doctoral (research)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Engineering research doctorates from North Carolina State University command a median $103,801 starting salary. Median pay reaches $160,384 after a decade.
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 yrs
≈ $3,168 total interest
Same major at other universities
Colorado School of Mines
$136,731 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$136,278 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$135,252 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$134,161 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$134,060 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$133,770 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$133,429 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
$132,457 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$132,072 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Arlington
$131,085 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$130,918 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$130,386 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at North Carolina State University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$164,191 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$159,758 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$130,109 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$116,091 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$113,912 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$109,592 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$106,364 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$106,347 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$105,676 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$105,676 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$105,244 · 5 yrs out
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