WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+18% vs national median1,151 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at University of Texas at Austin

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

Median · 1 year out
$85,015
middle 50%: $62,625 – $131,996
Median · 5 years out
$126,197
middle 50%: $85,958 – $164,327
Median · 10 years out
$144,946
middle 50%: $101,995 – $206,892

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 University of Texas at Austin's doctoral (research) program in Physical Sciences earn a median $85,015 one year after graduating, rising to $144,946 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 18% above the national median of $107,017 for this field, ranking 5th 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
3.5 yrs
≈ $3,769 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
$191,993 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
$133,920 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$130,533 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$128,182 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$126,011 · 5 yrs out
Colorado School of Mines
$125,817 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$123,409 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$117,848 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$115,982 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$115,783 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Texas at Austin

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$215,480 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$206,592 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$182,751 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$179,117 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$179,117 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$173,536 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$167,891 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$164,408 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$160,721 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$159,387 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$156,021 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$147,611 · 5 yrs out

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