WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+19% vs national median255 grads tracked

Social Sciences at North Carolina State University

Ranked 2nd of 61 doctoral (research) programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$89,427
middle 50%: $69,853 – $114,021
Median · 5 years out
$110,004
middle 50%: $82,564 – $144,775
Median · 10 years out
$114,831
middle 50%: $87,561 – $166,618

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

Graduates of North Carolina State University's doctoral (research) program in Social Sciences earn a median $89,427 one year after graduating, rising to $114,831 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 19% above the national median of $92,302 for this field, ranking 2nd of 61 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
3.6 yrs
≈ $3,743 total interest

Same major at other universities

Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$115,806 · 5 yrs out
Oregon State University
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$106,500 · 5 yrs out
George Mason University
$105,519 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$104,958 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$103,633 · 5 yrs out
Georgia State University
$100,451 · 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
Engineering (Doctorate)
$133,569 · 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
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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