WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+11% vs national median42 grads tracked

Library Science at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Ranked 1st of 3 doctoral (research) programs in Library Science by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$99,192
middle 50%: $84,400 – $119,554
Median · 5 years out
$121,393
middle 50%: $106,266 – $151,716
Median · 10 years out
$124,613
middle 50%: $84,822 – $162,461

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill's doctoral (research) program in Library Science earn a median $99,192 one year after graduating, rising to $124,613 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 11% above the national median of $109,070 for this field, ranking 1st of 3 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
3.2 yrs
≈ $3,355 total interest

Same major at other universities

Indiana University - Bloomington
$109,070 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$100,908 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$214,723 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$192,150 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$178,780 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$167,515 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,181 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$150,648 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$147,757 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$140,602 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$127,840 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$125,175 · 5 yrs out
Journalism (Bachelor's)
$124,373 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$120,780 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

Library and Archives Assisting
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Library Science and Administration
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