Doctoral (Research)-6% vs national median379 grads tracked
Physical Sciences at Arizona State University
Ranked 43rd of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$64,735
middle 50%: $51,758 – $96,649
Median · 5 years out
$100,487
middle 50%: $70,606 – $143,515
Median · 10 years out
$131,944
middle 50%: $96,257 – $165,855
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
Physical Sciences research doctorate graduates earn $64,735 in year 1. Median earnings climb to $131,944 by year 10.
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
4.4 yrs
≈ $4,903 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$102,325 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$101,030 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$100,908 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$100,806 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$100,794 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$100,633 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Arlington
$98,926 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$98,163 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$97,992 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$97,476 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at El Paso
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$96,190 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Arizona State University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$210,320 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$180,138 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$173,103 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$155,189 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$135,147 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$131,591 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$131,351 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$122,572 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$115,790 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$115,790 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$113,823 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$113,557 · 5 yrs out