Doctoral (Research)-4% vs national median421 grads tracked
Physical Sciences at University of South Carolina - Columbia
Ranked 37th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$65,710
middle 50%: $50,881 – $99,285
Median · 5 years out
$102,325
middle 50%: $75,124 – $137,203
Median · 10 years out
$114,734
middle 50%: $85,430 – $159,201
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 research doctorates from the University of South Carolina - Columbia earn a median $65.7k initially. Median salaries reach $114.7k by year ten.
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
≈ $4,824 total interest
Same major at other universities
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
SUNY College of Environment Science & Forestry
$102,715 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$101,030 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$100,908 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$100,806 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$100,794 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$100,633 · 5 yrs out
Arizona State University
$100,487 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of South Carolina - Columbia
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$176,841 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$168,157 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$153,126 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$150,876 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$129,928 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$122,810 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,242 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$114,563 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$100,689 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$100,245 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$99,491 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$99,491 · 5 yrs out