WhatGradsMake
Master's-4% vs national median186 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Portland State University

Ranked 72nd of 132 master's programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$61,969
middle 50%: $43,047 – $82,300
Median · 5 years out
$79,588
middle 50%: $60,590 – $107,824
Median · 10 years out
$108,001
middle 50%: $76,015 – $140,411

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Physical Sciences (master's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Portland State University's master's program in Physical Sciences earn a median $61,969 one year after graduating, rising to $108,001 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 4% below the national median of $83,137 for this field, ranking 72nd of 132 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
5 yrs
≈ $5,505 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Virginia
$81,462 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$80,376 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$80,325 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$79,787 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$79,787 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Stony Brook
$79,607 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
$79,368 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$79,247 · 5 yrs out
College of William & Mary
$79,247 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$79,100 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$79,079 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
$78,843 · 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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