WhatGradsMake
Master's-14% vs national median207 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at University of Iowa

Ranked 111th of 132 master's programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$54,158
middle 50%: $34,749 – $70,184
Median · 5 years out
$71,441
middle 50%: $57,815 – $94,389
Median · 10 years out
$91,987
middle 50%: $70,164 – $134,767

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Physical Sciences (master's) graduates.

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

Graduates of University of Iowa's master's program in Physical Sciences earn a median $54,158 one year after graduating, rising to $91,987 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% below the national median of $83,137 for this field, ranking 111th of 132 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
5.7 yrs
≈ $6,320 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Georgia
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$74,055 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Iowa
$73,958 · 5 yrs out
Southeast Missouri State University
$73,442 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Wilmington (The)
$73,181 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$72,371 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Brooklyn College
$71,441 · 5 yrs out
Missouri University of Science and Technology
$71,298 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$71,278 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina Central University
$71,060 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$70,298 · 5 yrs out
Missouri State University
$69,890 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Iowa

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$197,724 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$173,339 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$167,710 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$157,015 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,198 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$144,877 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$121,670 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$114,999 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$112,327 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$112,327 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,625 · 5 yrs out

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