WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-13% vs national median256 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at University of Alabama

Ranked 58th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$66,741
middle 50%: $50,869 – $97,992
Median · 5 years out
$93,487
middle 50%: $69,277 – $138,435
Median · 10 years out
$106,080
middle 50%: $78,529 – $162,085

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of University of Alabama's doctoral (research) program in Physical Sciences earn a median $66,741 one year after graduating, rising to $106,080 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 13% below the national median of $107,017 for this field, ranking 58th of 82 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
4.5 yrs
≈ $4,922 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of North Texas
$94,516 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$94,503 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$94,389 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$94,046 · 5 yrs out
Miami University
$93,965 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$93,643 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$92,343 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$91,987 · 5 yrs out
University of New Orleans (The)
$91,460 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$90,782 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$90,582 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$90,481 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Alabama

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$153,932 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$141,017 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$141,017 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$122,177 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Master's)
$120,518 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$114,494 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$110,564 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$108,063 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$108,063 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$107,250 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$104,753 · 5 yrs out
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$104,648 · 5 yrs out

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