Doctoral (Research)-1% vs national median924 grads tracked
Physical Sciences at Ohio State University (The)
Ranked 29th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$67,967
middle 50%: $53,421 – $98,819
Median · 5 years out
$105,774
middle 50%: $77,859 – $142,890
Median · 10 years out
$126,123
middle 50%: $91,095 – $174,971
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 Sciences doctoral graduates earn $68k in year one. Median earnings reach $126k by the tenth year.
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
4.2 yrs
≈ $4,663 total interest
Same major at other universities
Oregon State University
$107,563 · 5 yrs out
College of William & Mary
$107,201 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$107,201 · 5 yrs out
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
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
$105,519 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$105,044 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$104,958 · 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
Other majors at Ohio State University (The)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$187,241 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$168,256 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$163,027 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$161,330 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,518 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$147,582 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$142,871 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$139,336 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$137,127 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Doctorate)
$131,379 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Bachelor's)
$123,938 · 5 yrs out