WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-18% vs national median172 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at State University of New York at Albany

Ranked 71st of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$67,154
middle 50%: $51,851 – $86,929
Median · 5 years out
$87,772
middle 50%: $64,204 – $125,035
Median · 10 years out
$109,749
middle 50%: $81,295 – $160,199

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

Graduates of State University of New York at Albany's doctoral (research) program in Physical Sciences earn a median $67,154 one year after graduating, rising to $109,749 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 18% below the national median of $107,017 for this field, ranking 71st of 82 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
4.6 yrs
≈ $5,009 total interest

Same major at other universities

Montana State University Bozeman
$90,071 · 5 yrs out
Northern Illinois University
$89,880 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$89,880 · 5 yrs out
Georgia State University
$89,458 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Saint Louis
$89,458 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$89,177 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
University of Wyoming
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$87,170 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$86,717 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$84,962 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$84,400 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at State University of New York at Albany

Engineering (Doctorate)
$151,191 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$123,601 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$118,430 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$113,443 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's)
$103,697 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$103,319 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Doctorate)
$102,295 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$98,892 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$95,797 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, Other (Bachelor's)
$95,389 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$94,989 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$94,330 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Compare universities
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
Compare universities
Chemistry
Compare universities
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
Compare universities
Materials Sciences
Compare universities
Physical Sciences, General
Compare universities