WhatGradsMake
Master's-5% vs national median241 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Illinois State University

Ranked 81st of 132 master's programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$60,342
middle 50%: $44,962 – $77,146
Median · 5 years out
$78,586
middle 50%: $62,168 – $99,651
Median · 10 years out
$94,389
middle 50%: $65,392 – $126,019

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 Illinois State University's master's program in Physical Sciences earn a median $60,342 one year after graduating, rising to $94,389 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% below the national median of $83,137 for this field, ranking 81st 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
5.2 yrs
≈ $5,639 total interest

Same major at other universities

College of William & Mary
$79,247 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$79,100 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$79,079 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
Clemson University
$78,738 · 5 yrs out
University of Wyoming
$78,709 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$78,415 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$78,320 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$78,215 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota Duluth
$78,170 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Kansas City
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Commerce
$77,691 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Illinois State University

Education (Doctorate)
$110,151 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$100,616 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$94,916 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$93,908 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$92,435 · 5 yrs out
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's)
$91,685 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$91,592 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$89,527 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$88,197 · 5 yrs out
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctorate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out

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