WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-2% vs national median344 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at State University of New York at Buffalo

Ranked 32nd of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$72,585
middle 50%: $54,280 – $99,879
Median · 5 years out
$104,958
middle 50%: $74,415 – $137,942
Median · 10 years out
$133,355
middle 50%: $90,481 – $183,258

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 Buffalo's doctoral (research) program in Physical Sciences earn a median $72,585 one year after graduating, rising to $133,355 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $107,017 for this field, ranking 32nd 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
4.1 yrs
≈ $4,463 total interest

Same major at other universities

Texas A&M University
$107,017 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$106,347 · 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
George Mason University
$104,709 · 5 yrs out
Missouri University of Science and Technology
$104,398 · 5 yrs out
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

Other majors at State University of New York at Buffalo

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$174,817 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$170,712 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$164,239 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,500 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$153,130 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$143,491 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$141,998 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$131,463 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$114,606 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$113,140 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$109,745 · 5 yrs out

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