Doctoral (Research)-2% vs national median492 grads tracked
Physical Sciences at Colorado State University
Ranked 31st of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$70,389
middle 50%: $55,830 – $95,021
Median · 5 years out
$105,044
middle 50%: $80,666 – $137,969
Median · 10 years out
$120,780
middle 50%: $88,437 – $160,199
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 $70k in their first year. Median pay reaches $105k after five years and $121k after ten years.
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
4.2 yrs
≈ $4,561 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$107,201 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$107,017 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$106,347 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$106,150 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$105,774 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
$105,519 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$104,958 · 5 yrs out
George Mason University
$104,709 · 5 yrs out
Missouri University of Science and Technology
$104,398 · 5 yrs out
Clemson University
$103,464 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College of Environment Science & Forestry
$102,715 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$102,325 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Colorado State University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$212,009 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$135,185 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$131,863 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$127,509 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$125,457 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Bachelor's)
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,842 · 5 yrs out
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's)
$108,642 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$107,710 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$106,687 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$106,500 · 5 yrs out