WhatGradsMake
Master's-1% vs national median200 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Purdue University

Ranked 61st of 132 master's programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$63,324
middle 50%: $42,660 – $86,929
Median · 5 years out
$81,969
middle 50%: $64,085 – $108,001
Median · 10 years out
$93,733
middle 50%: $69,779 – $124,373

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 Purdue University's master's program in Physical Sciences earn a median $63,324 one year after graduating, rising to $93,733 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% below the national median of $83,137 for this field, ranking 61st 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
4.9 yrs
≈ $5,360 total interest

Same major at other universities

East Carolina University
$83,018 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$82,929 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$82,763 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
$82,614 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Queens College
$82,426 · 5 yrs out
Youngstown State University
$82,048 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$81,961 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$81,917 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$81,817 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$81,561 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$81,462 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$80,376 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Purdue University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$219,424 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$162,085 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$160,199 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,081 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$151,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,110 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$141,828 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$135,976 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,565 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$122,270 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Doctorate)
$122,253 · 5 yrs out

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