WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-1% vs national median280 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at University of Illinois Chicago

Ranked 28th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$64,930
middle 50%: $52,165 – $94,389
Median · 5 years out
$106,150
middle 50%: $73,157 – $139,635
Median · 10 years out
$133,708
middle 50%: $97,191 – $181,608

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 University of Illinois Chicago's doctoral (research) program in Physical Sciences earn a median $64,930 one year after graduating, rising to $133,708 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% below the national median of $107,017 for this field, ranking 28th 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
4.3 yrs
≈ $4,801 total interest

Same major at other universities

Oregon State University
$107,563 · 5 yrs out
Loyola University Chicago
$107,201 · 5 yrs out
College of William & Mary
$107,201 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$107,201 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$107,017 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$106,347 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$105,774 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
$105,519 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$105,044 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$104,958 · 5 yrs out
George Mason University
$104,709 · 5 yrs out
Missouri University of Science and Technology
$104,398 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Illinois Chicago

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$203,383 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$155,322 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$152,674 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$149,199 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$146,852 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,939 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$139,846 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$135,535 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$133,429 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$123,770 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$117,024 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$115,930 · 5 yrs out

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