Doctoral (Research)-1% vs national median274 grads tracked
Psychology at West Virginia University
Ranked 51st of 87 doctoral (research) programs in Psychology by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$64,887
middle 50%: $54,299 – $75,921
Median · 5 years out
$96,791
middle 50%: $75,625 – $117,799
Median · 10 years out
$109,749
middle 50%: $82,718 – $134,767
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Psychology (doctoral (research)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Psychology research doctorate graduates earn a median of $65k initially. Salaries rise to $97k after five years and $110k after ten years.
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
4.5 yrs
≈ $4,959 total interest
Same major at other universities
National Louis University
$97,592 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$97,549 · 5 yrs out
Northern Illinois University
$97,297 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$97,191 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$97,180 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$96,701 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$96,422 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
$95,990 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$95,481 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$94,869 · 5 yrs out
University of Wyoming
$94,869 · 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