WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-7% vs national median222 grads tracked

Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University

Ranked 40th of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$77,093
middle 50%: $54,286 – $118,775
Median · 5 years out
$130,026
middle 50%: $100,051 – $160,737
Median · 10 years out
$153,413
middle 50%: $99,793 – $195,262

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 Virginia Commonwealth University's doctoral (research) program in Engineering earn a median $77,093 one year after graduating, rising to $153,413 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% below the national median of $139,316 for this field, ranking 40th 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
3.6 yrs
≈ $4,016 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
University of Texas at Arlington
$131,085 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$130,918 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$130,386 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$129,928 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$129,865 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama in Huntsville
$129,686 · 5 yrs out
Wright State University
$128,877 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$128,254 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Virginia Commonwealth University

Dentistry (Doctorate)
$175,347 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$157,685 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$154,279 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$152,472 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$131,725 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$128,182 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$123,259 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$122,217 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$105,799 · 5 yrs out
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (Master's)
$105,500 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$105,054 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$104,709 · 5 yrs out

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