Doctoral (Research)-1% vs national median525 grads tracked
Physical Sciences at North Carolina State University
Ranked 27th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$72,214
middle 50%: $56,264 – $103,587
Median · 5 years out
$106,347
middle 50%: $79,048 – $139,651
Median · 10 years out
$122,083
middle 50%: $89,527 – $166,455
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 start with a $72k median salary. Earnings reach $106k by year five and $122k 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
4.1 yrs
≈ $4,461 total interest
Same major at other universities
Indiana University - Bloomington
$109,526 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$107,644 · 5 yrs out
Oregon State University
$107,563 · 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
University of Illinois Chicago
$106,150 · 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
Other majors at North Carolina State University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$164,191 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$159,758 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$133,569 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$130,109 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$116,091 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$113,912 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$109,592 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$106,364 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$105,676 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$105,676 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$105,244 · 5 yrs out