WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-8% vs national median221 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at West Virginia University

Ranked 45th of 82 doctoral (research) programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$67,327
middle 50%: $54,370 – $89,880
Median · 5 years out
$98,163
middle 50%: $69,154 – $137,306
Median · 10 years out
$115,506
middle 50%: $78,843 – $170,655

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 West Virginia University's doctoral (research) program in Physical Sciences earn a median $67,327 one year after graduating, rising to $115,506 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 8% below the national median of $107,017 for this field, ranking 45th 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
≈ $4,811 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
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
Hampton University
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$96,190 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$94,869 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at West Virginia University

Dentistry (Doctorate)
$165,016 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$156,627 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$152,069 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$150,321 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$128,840 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$122,766 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$113,771 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,107 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,311 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$109,203 · 5 yrs out

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