Doctoral (Research)-10% vs national median534 grads tracked
Physical Sciences at Iowa State University of Science & Technology
Ranked 50th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$62,552
middle 50%: $51,903 – $86,140
Median · 5 years out
$96,190
middle 50%: $73,884 – $135,295
Median · 10 years out
$123,847
middle 50%: $92,205 – $173,986
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
Iowa State University research doctorate holders in physical sciences start at $63k. Median earnings hit $96k after five years and $124k 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
4.6 yrs
≈ $5,093 total interest
Same major at other universities
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
Hampton University
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$94,869 · 5 yrs out
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
Other majors at Iowa State University of Science & Technology
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$147,324 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,317 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$136,278 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$118,825 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$116,045 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$115,806 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$113,881 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$110,315 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$107,785 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,597 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$104,160 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$104,015 · 5 yrs out