WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-5% vs national median96 grads tracked

Social Sciences at West Virginia University

Ranked 43rd of 61 doctoral (research) programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$68,450
middle 50%: $55,621 – $89,578
Median · 5 years out
$88,097
middle 50%: $72,242 – $117,867
Median · 10 years out
$95,830
middle 50%: $73,442 – $127,993

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of West Virginia University's doctoral (research) program in Social Sciences earn a median $68,450 one year after graduating, rising to $95,830 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% below the national median of $92,302 for this field, ranking 43rd of 61 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
4.6 yrs
≈ $4,933 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Oklahoma
$89,036 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$88,977 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$88,921 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$88,764 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$88,421 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$87,514 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$86,929 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$86,929 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$85,394 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$84,610 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$84,561 · 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

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