median JD: 160K (http://www.law.stanford.edu/school/facts/#graduates http://www.law.stanford.edu/school/facts/#graduates) MBA is also way up there. not sure a

median JD: 160K (http://www.law.stanford.edu/school/facts/#graduates http://www.law.stanford.edu/school/facts/#graduates) MBA is also way up there. not sure about medicine... keep in mind that elite MBA, JD, and even MD programs have very high completion rates, much higher than PhDs, and that MD and JD degrees can take less than half the time. MD degrees take as long as PhDs when you factor in the residency, but the job prospects and earnings are probably much higher. From a purely financial point of view, it just doesn't make sense for someone who already has US citizenship to do a PhD. For non-citizens, though, it can be an excellent way to get into the country (though even then, an MS is usually enough to get that first work visa).