WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-6% vs national median334 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at University of Virginia

Ranked 38th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$66,819
middle 50%: $54,686 – $94,574
Median · 5 years out
$101,030
middle 50%: $73,728 – $131,944
Median · 10 years out
$136,580
middle 50%: $106,554 – $166,904

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 Virginia's doctoral (research) program in Physical Sciences earn a median $66,819 one year after graduating, rising to $136,580 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 6% below the national median of $107,017 for this field, ranking 38th 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
≈ $4,790 total interest

Same major at other universities

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 South Carolina - Columbia
$102,325 · 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
University of Texas at Arlington
$98,926 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Virginia

Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$222,735 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$222,735 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$198,412 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$187,481 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Certificate)
$163,027 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$162,877 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$144,468 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$144,468 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Certificate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$134,161 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$133,882 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$133,294 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Compare universities
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
Compare universities
Chemistry
Compare universities
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
Compare universities
Materials Sciences
Compare universities
Physical Sciences, General
Compare universities