Doctoral (Research)-16% vs national median223 grads tracked
Physical Sciences at Georgia State University
Ranked 68th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$56,612
middle 50%: $46,905 – $75,384
Median · 5 years out
$89,458
middle 50%: $66,619 – $118,430
Median · 10 years out
$99,848
middle 50%: $77,273 – $147,582
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
Research doctorate graduates in Physical Sciences earn a median of $57k in their first year. Salaries rise to $89k by year five and reach $100k by year ten.
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
4.9 yrs
≈ $5,581 total interest
Same major at other universities
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
Montana State University Bozeman
$90,071 · 5 yrs out
Northern Illinois University
$89,880 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$89,880 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Saint Louis
$89,458 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$89,177 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Albany
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
University of Wyoming
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$87,170 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Georgia State University
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$163,341 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$132,649 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$124,996 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$122,445 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$118,617 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$114,842 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$111,975 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$111,975 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$100,766 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$100,451 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$99,929 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$99,737 · 5 yrs out