WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-6% vs national median431 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Ranked 42nd of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$72,462
middle 50%: $52,544 – $104,103
Median · 5 years out
$100,633
middle 50%: $73,994 – $134,929
Median · 10 years out
$122,149
middle 50%: $87,772 – $170,055

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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University's doctoral (research) program in Physical Sciences earn a median $72,462 one year after graduating, rising to $122,149 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 6% below the national median of $107,017 for this field, ranking 42nd 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
4.2 yrs
≈ $4,527 total interest

Same major at other universities

SUNY College of Environment Science & Forestry
$102,715 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$102,325 · 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
Arizona State University
$100,487 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Arlington
$98,926 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$98,163 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$97,992 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$97,476 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at El Paso
$96,791 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$160,426 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$155,674 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$148,193 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$132,072 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$130,533 · 5 yrs out
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's)
$129,123 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$125,251 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$125,251 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$121,443 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$119,838 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$116,512 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$109,749 · 5 yrs out

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