Doctoral (Research)-6% vs national median313 grads tracked
Social Sciences at State University of New York at Buffalo
Ranked 45th of 61 doctoral (research) programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$64,578
middle 50%: $48,052 – $85,782
Median · 5 years out
$86,929
middle 50%: $69,310 – $111,756
Median · 10 years out
$100,222
middle 50%: $82,300 – $127,509
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
Research doctorate graduates in Social Sciences earn a median first-year salary of $65k. By year 10, earnings increase to $100k.
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
4.8 yrs
≈ $5,171 total interest
Same major at other universities
Bowling Green State University
$88,921 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$88,764 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$88,421 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$88,097 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$87,514 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$86,929 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$85,394 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$84,610 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$84,561 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$84,000 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at State University of New York at Buffalo
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$174,817 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$170,712 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$164,239 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,500 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$153,130 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$143,491 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$141,998 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$131,463 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$114,606 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$113,140 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$109,745 · 5 yrs out