WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+14% vs national median165 grads tracked

Engineering at George Mason University

Ranked 3rd of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$124,051
middle 50%: $96,190 – $170,896
Median · 5 years out
$158,478
middle 50%: $127,928 – $196,025
Median · 10 years out
$187,828
middle 50%: $144,929 – $243,212

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 George Mason University's doctoral (research) program in Engineering earn a median $124,051 one year after graduating, rising to $187,828 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% above the national median of $139,316 for this field, ranking 3rd 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
2.5 yrs
≈ $2,638 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
$179,858 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Dallas
$175,253 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$158,313 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$156,021 · 5 yrs out
Arizona State University
$155,189 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$151,479 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Albany
$151,191 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
$148,888 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at George Mason University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$183,592 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,304 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$137,848 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$137,668 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$134,767 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$134,767 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$130,148 · 5 yrs out
Biological and Biomedical Sciences (Doctorate)
$127,509 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,951 · 5 yrs out
Natural Resources and Conservation (Doctorate)
$122,445 · 5 yrs out
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (Master's)
$121,298 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$118,362 · 5 yrs out

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