WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-16% vs national median128 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Northern Illinois University

Ranked 66th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$66,229
middle 50%: $52,165 – $79,787
Median · 5 years out
$89,880
middle 50%: $71,850 – $115,337
Median · 10 years out
$101,595
middle 50%: $84,610 – $138,999

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

Graduates of Northern Illinois University's doctoral (research) program in Physical Sciences earn a median $66,229 one year after graduating, rising to $101,595 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 16% below the national median of $107,017 for this field, ranking 66th of 82 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
4.6 yrs
≈ $5,018 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Oregon
$91,987 · 5 yrs out
University of New Orleans (The)
$91,460 · 5 yrs out
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
University of Toledo
$89,880 · 5 yrs out
Georgia State University
$89,458 · 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

Other majors at Northern Illinois University

Education (Doctorate)
$119,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,599 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$111,551 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$111,291 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$109,443 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$102,156 · 5 yrs out
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,392 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$97,297 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,041 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$93,400 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$92,787 · 5 yrs out

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