WhatGradsMake
Master's-28% vs national median63 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Western Carolina University

Ranked 128th of 132 master's programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$47,392
middle 50%: $25,395 – $57,063
Median · 5 years out
$59,848
middle 50%: $40,342 – $76,015
Median · 10 years out
$74,872
middle 50%: $57,248 – $91,636

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 Western Carolina University's master's program in Physical Sciences earn a median $47,392 one year after graduating, rising to $74,872 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 28% below the national median of $83,137 for this field, ranking 128th 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
6.7 yrs
≈ $7,524 total interest

Same major at other universities

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
$64,930 · 5 yrs out
University of Maine
$64,402 · 5 yrs out
Indiana State University
$63,451 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
$61,827 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
$61,332 · 5 yrs out
Marshall University
$60,076 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Colorado
$58,734 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$56,312 · 5 yrs out
Sam Houston State University
$55,464 · 5 yrs out
Hampton University
$55,464 · 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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