WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-3% vs national median1,347 grads tracked

Engineering at Pennsylvania State University (The)

Ranked 29th of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$101,631
middle 50%: $67,302 – $130,262
Median · 5 years out
$135,252
middle 50%: $111,662 – $166,694
Median · 10 years out
$160,996
middle 50%: $128,905 – $211,550

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of Pennsylvania State University (The)'s doctoral (research) program in Engineering earn a median $101,631 one year after graduating, rising to $160,996 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 3% below the national median of $139,316 for this field, ranking 29th of 80 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
3.1 yrs
≈ $3,217 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Arizona (The)
$137,677 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$137,159 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$136,735 · 5 yrs out
Colorado School of Mines
$136,731 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$136,278 · 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
North Carolina State University
$133,569 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$133,429 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
$132,457 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Pennsylvania State University (The)

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$182,178 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$177,057 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$143,044 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$130,869 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$122,394 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$116,440 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$115,495 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's)
$115,004 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$114,831 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,734 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,727 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$113,053 · 5 yrs out

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