WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-3% vs national median159 grads tracked

Education at Western Carolina University

Ranked 102nd of 135 doctoral (research) programs in Education by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$97,454
middle 50%: $80,785 – $113,006
Median · 5 years out
$96,791
middle 50%: $72,014 – $120,035
Median · 10 years out
$104,398
middle 50%: $77,430 – $131,591

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of Western Carolina University's doctoral (research) program in Education earn a median $97,454 one year after graduating, rising to $104,398 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 3% below the national median of $100,245 for this field, ranking 102nd of 135 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
3.5 yrs
≈ $3,570 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Missouri - Columbia
$97,931 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$97,739 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
$97,565 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$97,385 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$96,979 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$96,843 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Colorado
$96,590 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$95,830 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$95,603 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University, Mankato
$95,590 · 5 yrs out
Miami University
$95,590 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Carolina University

Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Bachelor's)
$79,484 · 5 yrs out

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