Doctoral (Research)+10% vs national median1,206 grads tracked
Physical Sciences at University of Michigan
Ranked 9th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$74,301
middle 50%: $55,764 – $119,042
Median · 5 years out
$117,848
middle 50%: $83,110 – $161,023
Median · 10 years out
$140,605
middle 50%: $102,129 – $191,901
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
Research doctorate graduates in Physical Sciences earn $74k initially. Median pay rises to $118k by year five and $141k by year ten.
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
3.8 yrs
≈ $4,239 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
$133,920 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$128,182 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$126,197 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$126,011 · 5 yrs out
Colorado School of Mines
$125,817 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$123,409 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$115,982 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$115,783 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Dallas
$115,698 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$114,494 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$113,053 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Institute of Technology
$112,267 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Michigan
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$240,526 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$193,286 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$162,338 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,020 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$148,552 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$144,865 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$139,695 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$137,498 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$137,470 · 5 yrs out