WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+1% vs national median387 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Oregon State University

Ranked 22nd of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$72,077
middle 50%: $54,508 – $100,252
Median · 5 years out
$107,563
middle 50%: $82,389 – $139,882
Median · 10 years out
$123,814
middle 50%: $94,189 – $156,429

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 Oregon State University's doctoral (research) program in Physical Sciences earn a median $72,077 one year after graduating, rising to $123,814 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% above the national median of $107,017 for this field, ranking 22nd 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
≈ $4,452 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$111,787 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$110,871 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Stony Brook
$110,705 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$110,137 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$109,526 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$107,644 · 5 yrs out
Loyola University Chicago
$107,201 · 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

Other majors at Oregon State University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$176,356 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$171,456 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$162,096 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$162,096 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$139,445 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$136,207 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$123,582 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$116,256 · 5 yrs out
Biological and Physical Sciences (Bachelor's)
$116,180 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,634 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$109,381 · 5 yrs out

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