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
Physical Sciences master's graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median $60k in their first year. Salaries reach $76k at year five and $94k at year ten.
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
University of Missouri - Kansas City
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
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
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
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
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$92,179 · 5 yrs out