WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-4% vs national median774 grads tracked

Engineering at University of Virginia

Ranked 30th of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$97,912
middle 50%: $68,403 – $131,180
Median · 5 years out
$134,161
middle 50%: $104,755 – $174,795
Median · 10 years out
$169,636
middle 50%: $132,932 – $231,158

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 University of Virginia's doctoral (research) program in Engineering earn a median $97,912 one year after graduating, rising to $169,636 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 4% below the national median of $139,316 for this field, ranking 30th 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
3.2 yrs
≈ $3,323 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$135,252 · 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
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$132,072 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Virginia

Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$222,735 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$222,735 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$198,412 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$187,481 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Certificate)
$163,027 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$162,877 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$144,468 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$144,468 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Certificate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$133,882 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$133,294 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Bachelor's)
$129,779 · 5 yrs out

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