WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+2% vs national median533 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington

Ranked 20th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$69,941
middle 50%: $54,531 – $99,371
Median · 5 years out
$109,526
middle 50%: $75,410 – $146,516
Median · 10 years out
$138,999
middle 50%: $98,743 – $206,364

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

Physical Sciences doctoral graduates from Indiana University - Bloomington command a $70k median starting salary. Earnings reach a median of $139k after ten years.

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
4.1 yrs
≈ $4,521 total interest

Same major at other universities

Other majors at Indiana University - Bloomington

Related fields of study