WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-16% vs national median339 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Western Carolina University

Ranked 298th of 321 bachelor's programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$33,941
middle 50%: $24,211 – $44,973
Median · 5 years out
$55,735
middle 50%: $40,748 – $70,113
Median · 10 years out
$70,788
middle 50%: $52,554 – $90,638

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Physical Sciences (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Western Carolina University's bachelor's program in Physical Sciences earn a median $33,941 one year after graduating, rising to $70,788 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 16% below the national median of $66,057 for this field, ranking 298th of 321 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
7.8 yrs
≈ $9,366 total interest

Same major at other universities

Fort Valley State University
$56,312 · 5 yrs out
Grambling State University
$56,106 · 5 yrs out
Salem State University
$56,106 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
$56,082 · 5 yrs out
University of Lynchburg
$56,069 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University Moorhead
$55,859 · 5 yrs out
South Dakota State University
$55,713 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$55,497 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$55,411 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina Asheville
$55,181 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Missouri State University
$54,993 · 5 yrs out
Montana Technological University
$54,993 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Carolina University

Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out

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