WhatGradsMake
Master's-5% vs national median159 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 74th of 132 master's programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$62,132
middle 50%: $43,798 – $85,664
Median · 5 years out
$79,247
middle 50%: $61,903 – $111,405
Median · 10 years out
$95,990
middle 50%: $70,870 – $147,002

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 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's master's program in Physical Sciences earn a median $62,132 one year after graduating, rising to $95,990 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% below the national median of $83,137 for this field, ranking 74th 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
5.1 yrs
≈ $5,505 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$80,325 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$79,787 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$79,787 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Stony Brook
$79,607 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$79,588 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
$79,368 · 5 yrs out
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

Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$128,910 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out

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