Doctoral (Research)-14% vs national median518 grads tracked
Physical Sciences at Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
Ranked 59th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$61,408
middle 50%: $48,116 – $87,964
Median · 5 years out
$92,343
middle 50%: $65,986 – $124,578
Median · 10 years out
$113,113
middle 50%: $81,671 – $153,456
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 research doctorate graduates at LSU earn a median of $61k in their first year. By year 10, the median salary is $113k.
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
4.7 yrs
≈ $5,234 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Georgia
$94,503 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$94,389 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$94,046 · 5 yrs out
Miami University
$93,965 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$93,643 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$93,487 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$91,987 · 5 yrs out
University of New Orleans (The)
$91,460 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$90,782 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$90,582 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$90,481 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$90,071 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$164,239 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$131,581 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$123,649 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$120,780 · 5 yrs out
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$120,095 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$116,501 · 5 yrs out
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,433 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$110,267 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$109,373 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$107,906 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$106,714 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$105,787 · 5 yrs out