Best Doctoral Degree Programs at University of Southern California by ROI

Every Doctoral Degree major at University of Southern California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree Doctoral Degree

Programs Analyzed

14

Majors with salary data

Average 20-Yr Net ROI

+$1,036,936

Across all programs

Average Annual Cost

$84,678

Cost of attendance

# Major 20-Yr Net ROI Median Salary Annual Cost Avg Debt
1 Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences.

Grad rate: 92.2%

+$3,249,648 $221,418 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
2 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration.

Grad rate: 92.2%

+$2,567,548 $187,313 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
3 Marketing.

Grad rate: 92.2%

+$1,768,908 $147,381 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
4 Legal Professions and Studies, Other.

Grad rate: 92.2%

+$1,627,888 $140,330 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
5 Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management.

Grad rate: 92.2%

+$1,265,448 $122,208 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
6 Business Administration, Management and Operations.

Grad rate: 92.2%

+$1,032,988 $110,585 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
7 Educational Administration and Supervision.

Grad rate: 92.2%

+$980,588 $107,965 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
8 Health and Medical Administrative Services.

Grad rate: 92.2%

+$767,648 $97,318 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
9 Communication and Media Studies.

Grad rate: 92.2%

+$614,448 $89,658 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
10 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.

Grad rate: 92.2%

+$367,288 $77,300 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
11 Public Policy Analysis.

Grad rate: 92.2%

+$239,548 $70,913 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
12 Geography and Cartography.

Grad rate: 92.2%

+$154,468 $66,659 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
13 Music.

Grad rate: 92.2%

-$1,672 $58,852 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →
14 Special Education and Teaching.

Grad rate: 92.2%

-$117,632 $53,054 $84,678 $0 Full ROI →

How ROI is calculated

20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.