WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-11% vs national median86 grads tracked

History at West Virginia University

Ranked 29th of 34 doctoral (research) programs in History by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$54,453
middle 50%: $34,252 – $67,936
Median · 5 years out
$68,626
middle 50%: $52,636 – $81,671
Median · 10 years out
$67,570
middle 50%: $54,051 – $82,614

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of West Virginia University's doctoral (research) program in History earn a median $54,453 one year after graduating, rising to $67,570 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 11% below the national median of $77,308 for this field, ranking 29th of 34 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
5.8 yrs
≈ $6,427 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Texas at Arlington
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$72,095 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$71,441 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$71,298 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$68,891 · 5 yrs out
Georgia State University
$68,802 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$64,798 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$64,226 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$61,121 · 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
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$128,840 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$122,766 · 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

Related fields of study

History
Compare universities