Doctoral (Research)-23% vs national median223 grads tracked
Physical Sciences at Texas Tech University
Ranked 79th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$60,696
middle 50%: $46,230 – $80,964
Median · 5 years out
$82,300
middle 50%: $60,961 – $121,427
Median · 10 years out
$119,554
middle 50%: $90,722 – $151,150
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 doctorate graduates earn a median of $61k initially. Ten-year median earnings climb to $120k.
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
≈ $5,513 total interest
Same major at other universities
Georgia State University
$89,458 · 5 yrs out
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
University of Wyoming
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$87,170 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$86,717 · 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
Old Dominion University
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma State University
$72,156 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Texas Tech University
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$167,382 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$142,605 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$137,159 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$123,047 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$118,251 · 5 yrs out
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,357 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$113,931 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,885 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,394 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$106,454 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$106,454 · 5 yrs out
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$106,400 · 5 yrs out