Doctoral (Research)-12% vs national median426 grads tracked
Engineering at West Virginia University
Ranked 60th of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$92,541
middle 50%: $64,114 – $114,946
Median · 5 years out
$122,766
middle 50%: $101,440 – $149,926
Median · 10 years out
$138,109
middle 50%: $113,289 – $178,808
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Engineering (doctoral (research)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Engineering research doctorate graduates command a median starting salary of $93k. Ten-year earnings climb to $138k, placing the program 60th among its peers.
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
3.3 yrs
≈ $3,548 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of New Orleans (The)
$124,051 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$123,649 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$123,601 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Stony Brook
$123,452 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$123,301 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$123,233 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$122,177 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$121,670 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$120,780 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$119,795 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$119,554 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma State University
$119,554 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at West Virginia University
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$165,016 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$156,627 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$152,069 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$150,321 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$128,840 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$113,771 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,107 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,311 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$109,203 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$109,203 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$102,715 · 5 yrs out
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