WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-19% vs national median91 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Portland State University

Ranked 75th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$77,430
middle 50%: $52,636 – $133,920
Median · 5 years out
$86,717
middle 50%: $61,332 – $144,175
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

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 Portland State University's doctoral (research) program in Physical Sciences earn a median $77,430 one year after graduating, rising to $86,717 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 19% below the national median of $107,017 for this field, ranking 75th 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
4.3 yrs
≈ $4,498 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Missouri - Saint Louis
$89,458 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$89,177 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Albany
$87,772 · 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
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$84,962 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$84,400 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$83,179 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$82,300 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
South Dakota State University
$76,015 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Portland State University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$189,860 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$158,313 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$130,437 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$126,846 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$123,233 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$122,667 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$120,677 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$116,662 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,474 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,147 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$110,977 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$105,672 · 5 yrs out

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