WhatGradsMake
Master's-8% vs national median199 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Northern Illinois University

Ranked 93rd of 132 master's programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$59,643
middle 50%: $44,153 – $73,694
Median · 5 years out
$76,393
middle 50%: $59,586 – $99,592
Median · 10 years out
$93,908
middle 50%: $76,412 – $139,846

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 Northern Illinois University's master's program in Physical Sciences earn a median $59,643 one year after graduating, rising to $93,908 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 8% below the national median of $83,137 for this field, ranking 93rd 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
5.3 yrs
≈ $5,751 total interest

Same major at other universities

Texas A&M University - Commerce
$77,691 · 5 yrs out
Oregon State University
$77,524 · 5 yrs out
Miami University
$77,146 · 5 yrs out
Wright State University
$76,816 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$76,701 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$76,554 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$76,393 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$76,330 · 5 yrs out
Arizona State University
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Norfolk State University
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Saint Louis
$75,586 · 5 yrs out
Ball State University
$75,158 · 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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