Doctoral (Research)-6% vs national median538 grads tracked
Physical Sciences at CUNY Graduate School & University Center
Ranked 41st of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$65,634
middle 50%: $47,492 – $92,541
Median · 5 years out
$100,794
middle 50%: $72,429 – $131,625
Median · 10 years out
$122,083
middle 50%: $97,841 – $165,006
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 Science doctorates earn $66k in their first year. Salaries rise to $101k after five years and $122k after ten years.
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
4.3 yrs
≈ $4,852 total interest
Same major at other universities
Clemson University
$103,464 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College of Environment Science & Forestry
$102,715 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$102,325 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$101,030 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$100,908 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$100,806 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$100,633 · 5 yrs out
Arizona State University
$100,487 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Arlington
$98,926 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$98,163 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$97,992 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$97,476 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at CUNY Graduate School & University Center
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$161,330 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$157,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$125,550 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$124,801 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$123,601 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$120,424 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Bachelor's)
$113,216 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Doctorate)
$112,807 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$110,405 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$109,693 · 5 yrs out